The Opéra Grand Avignon reopens after four years of rehabilitation work
The Opéra Grand Avignon reopens to the public this Thursday, October 14. Known for its remarkable Italian room, it has been brought up to standard while retaining its luster and pageantry. For example, the magnificent ceiling with paintings and gilding. The floor has been refurbished and is shiny, the parquet flooring in the fireplace has been varnished and the carpet has been laid in the new repainted stairwells. Two new elevators are also in place. And a small performance hall dug under the floor of the theater with 66 seats will allow you to attend concerts or conferences before the shows, hence its name “room of the preludes”.
Work that allowed theimproved spectator visibility, air conditioning in the room at the same time as well as improving and securing access.
For this reopening and to start his new season, the Opéra Grand Avignon is offering this Thursday a symphonic concert where will be given an overture by Etienne-Nicolas Méhul, the third piano concerto by Beethoven and the first symphony by Louise Farrenc, French composer of the 19th century, one of the women composers that the conductor of the National Orchestra of Avignon-Provence, Deborah Waldman is committed to defending. This Friday and Sunday will follow the opera Peter Grimes then Pitch, a ballet, on October 22.
And there will be free tours of the building Saturday October 16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., accompanied by readings from the archives:
The Opéra Grand Avignon in figures
- 24.4 million euros including tax for this restoration project, the expansion of the decor workshops and the construction of the Opéra Confluence in wood during the works
- 24 companies involved
- 100 km of cables reinstalled for electricity and electronics
- 953 seats in the concert hall instead of 1,140 previously for more comfort
- 111 private patrons and 51 corporate patrons