French Opera House
Encyclopedia
The French Opera House was an opera house
in New Orleans
. It was one of the city's landmarks from its opening in 1859 until it was destroyed by fire in 1919. It stood in the French Quarter
at the uptown lake corner of Bourbon
and Toulouse Streets, with the main entrance on Bourbon.
Designed by James Gallier
, Jr., the hall was commissioned by Charles Boudousquie, then the director of the opera company, which had previously made its home in the Orleans Theater. After a dispute with new owners of the Orleans, Boudousquie determined to build a grand new house for French opera. The building went up in less than a year at a cost of $118,500 and for the next sixty years, it was the center of social activity in New Orleans. Not only opera
was held there, but also Carnival balls, debuts, benefits, receptions, and concerts. By 1913, however, the house had fallen on hard times and was forced into receivership. An anonymous donor (later identified as William Ratcliffe Irby) purchased the building and donated it to Tulane University
, along with the wherewithal to operate it under the new leadership of the French tenor Agustarello Affré
. The building reopened, but went up in flames on the night of December 4, 1919. [WPA Photograph Collection]
The French Opera House itself was the most fashionable establishment in New Orleans in the years between the Civil War and World War I. Attendance at the opera there was a social event of importance with ritual and tradition.
The first night of the opera season was the opening of the social season in New Orleans, and it is an important feature of New Orleans social life.
29.95791°N 90.066374°W
Opera house
An opera house is a theatre building used for opera performances that consists of a stage, an orchestra pit, audience seating, and backstage facilities for costumes and set building...
in New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
. It was one of the city's landmarks from its opening in 1859 until it was destroyed by fire in 1919. It stood in the French Quarter
French Quarter
The French Quarter, also known as Vieux Carré, is the oldest neighborhood in the city of New Orleans. When New Orleans was founded in 1718 by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, the city was originally centered on the French Quarter, or the Vieux Carré as it was known then...
at the uptown lake corner of Bourbon
Bourbon Street
Bourbon Street is a famous and historic street that spans the length of the French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. When founded in 1718, the city was originally centered around the French Quarter...
and Toulouse Streets, with the main entrance on Bourbon.
James Gallier
James Gallier was a prominent New Orleans architect.He was born James Gallagher in Ravensdale, County Louth, Ireland in 1798. He worked in England during his early career, designing the Godmanchester Chinese Bridge which crosses a mill stream of the River Great Ouse in 1827, and then working on the...
, Jr., the hall was commissioned by Charles Boudousquie, then the director of the opera company, which had previously made its home in the Orleans Theater. After a dispute with new owners of the Orleans, Boudousquie determined to build a grand new house for French opera. The building went up in less than a year at a cost of $118,500 and for the next sixty years, it was the center of social activity in New Orleans. Not only opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
was held there, but also Carnival balls, debuts, benefits, receptions, and concerts. By 1913, however, the house had fallen on hard times and was forced into receivership. An anonymous donor (later identified as William Ratcliffe Irby) purchased the building and donated it to Tulane University
Tulane University
Tulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States...
, along with the wherewithal to operate it under the new leadership of the French tenor Agustarello Affré
Agustarello Affré
Agustarello Affré was a French operatic tenor. He possessed a powerful and firm voice which garnered him the nickname the "French Tamagno" in comparison to the great Italian tenor. He was one of the leading operatic tenors in Paris from 1890-1911. He spent the last years of his career singing and...
. The building reopened, but went up in flames on the night of December 4, 1919. [WPA Photograph Collection]
The French Opera House itself was the most fashionable establishment in New Orleans in the years between the Civil War and World War I. Attendance at the opera there was a social event of importance with ritual and tradition.
The first night of the opera season was the opening of the social season in New Orleans, and it is an important feature of New Orleans social life.
29.95791°N 90.066374°W
See also
- New Orleans OperaNew Orleans OperaOpera has long been part of the musical culture of New Orleans, Louisiana. Operas have regularly been performed in the city since the 1790s, and for the majority of the city's history since the early 19th century, New Orleans has had a resident company regularly performing opera in addition to...