And there was light!

The chandelier of the Opera of Tours

Vue globale du lustreOpéra De Tours

The chandelier of the great hall has 206 bulbs and weighs 700kg. Candles, gas, filament bulbs, LEDs, the relationship between light and music has evolved over time. Today, all the lights are turned off as the show starts so that the audience can concentrate.

chandelier going upOpéra De Tours

How to maintain it?

Each season, the chandelier gets a makeover. In Tours, the harness team hoists it into the attic via a hatch on the ceiling. We then use very specific expressions to reassemble it safely: we "load" to bring it down and "press" to bring it up.

chandelier openingOpéra De Tours

The hatch is open!

chandelier closingOpéra De Tours

chandelier wide openingOpéra De Tours

chandelier in reviewOpéra De Tours

Each bulb is thoroughly checked and changed if necessary. The technicians dust the crystal and make the brass shine so that the chandelier retains its spark.

Lustre de la Grande SalleOpéra De Tours

In pictures

The chandelier continues to inspire photographers who go to the concert!

Photo credits: Ingrid Pico-Heide - Marie Pétry & Gérard Proust

Credits: Story

Communication Department of the Opera of Tours

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
Explore more
Related theme
Welcome to l'Opera
Discover some of the most beautiful and creative French opera houses
View theme

Interested in History?

Get updates with your personalized Culture Weekly

You are all set!

Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.

Home
Discover
Play
Nearby
Favorites