2-913-757 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Interior of the Grand Opera-House, at Paris, 1854. 'The aspect of the Salle on first entering strikes principally from its extreme gorgeousness and brilliancy. It seems one gigantic mass of gold... Supporting the roof on each side of the proscenium, and at the bend of the theatre on each side, are massive and gigantic columns, glittering with mirrors...the whole front of the house, when fully lit, flames with the brilliant metal; yet the effect is not so strong as to cast into the shade the interior of the boxes, or dim the beauty or the toilets of the ladies...The architect, to whose lot it fell to execute the re-embellishment, was [Monsieur] Visconti...The Opera opened for the present season with the "Favorita", Madame Stoltz performing the part of the heroine'. From "Illustrated London News", 1854.