The Châtelet Theater privatized for Bienvenue !

This sung tour was a magical moment! This historic theater inaugurated in 1862 in the presence of the Empress Eugénie was at the time the largest hall with 2895 seats. It contained a special effects machinery which was unique in Paris.
From the beginning it was built as a musical theater where world premieres with Camille Saint Saëns, George Bizet, Gabriel Fauré and others were presented.
Then in 1909, the Russian ballet, under the direction of Serge Diaghilev overturned established codes in terms of choreography, music, sets and costumes.
Since 1980, the Châtelet has presented dance, operetta and American musicals. The latter was a novelty in France.

Our Heritage Wealth group had the pleasure to visit the theater in the company of a young tenor, Grégoire Ichou, who throuhout the visit interpreted musical pieces that closely matched the theater, its history and its sets since its creation as well as the personalities and celebrities who performed there!
We walked through the theater from the ground floor to the different foyers, to the terraces from where we overlooked the Seine and Paris monuments.

We let ourselves be surprised by tunes and melodies including a cantata to Empress Eugénie, a tribute to her young son, the Prince imperial, a hymn to the city of Paris,a tribute to Picasso by Francis Poulenc …

This unique visit gave us another perspective which we will mark our memories.

By Nicole Tordjman
Treasures of French heritage
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