The Opéra National de Lorraine in Detail(s)
The architect Joseph Hornecker conceived the Opera of Nancy down to the smallest details. Zoom in on these sometimes overseen elements, which make up the richness of the building.
Main Staircase
In true peristyle fashion, the main staircase of the opera house, with ironwork by the Edgar Brandt house, leads to the foyer.
Musical references in the form of the lyre and wind instruments.
The Mosaics
Before even setting foot in the foyer of the opera house, visitors find themselves standing on a mosaic covering the entire floor of the outer foyer. This mosaic was created by the Maison Gentil and Bourdet de Billancourt, as were those on the floor around the main room of the opera house.
The Opera House Foyer
Even though Art Nouveau was fashionable in Nancy at the start of the 20th century, Joseph Hornecker decided to create an opera house in a neoclassical style. In the foyer of the Opéra National de Lorraine, the architectural style is reminiscent of antiquity.
The Caryatids
Caryatids surround the large foyer and depict the arts found on the Opera House stage, for example, music represented by the lyre. These ornaments and sculptures were entrusted to Louis Ragon.
The Masks
In another reference to antiquity, there are masks depicting gods. Here is Bacchus, identifiable by the bunches of grapes covering the top of his head.
Lighting
Another sign of the Stanislas times is light. With its many chandeliers, and sconces adorning the walls, the foyer of the opera house has no shortage of lighting.
The Opera House Main Hall
The main hall at the Opéra National de Lorraine is an Italian hall, in the shape of a horseshoe. It can hold up to 1,050 audience members, between the orchestra, the balcony, the first and second galleries, the third gallery (also known as the gods), and the stalls.
Other caryatids frame the two boxes, located on either side of the stage in the main hall.
