Maymester Day 7

As I’m slowly waking up with my morning coffee I’m very excited to see that our wonderful tour guide from Accent is here to guide us through the famous Opera Garnier. I’m fascinated to learn that Garnier designed every last detail of the opera house from the floors to the doorknobs in order to give a uniformity to the entire building. As we walk through the brilliant Palais, it is no doubt clear that he succeeded. What I couldn’t believe was that despite his designing every last detail of the Opera house that he still had to buy his own ticket to the opening night. He wasn’t invited due to his being sympathetic with the previous political regime! I can imagine Garnier showing up to the opera as any other ordinary person, but trying to keep a low profile while smugly witnessing his grand Palais come to life for the first time.
However, it probably would have been difficult for Garnier to go unnoticed that night, as people would stop on the balconies to gossip and watch who was coming to the opera and see what they were wearing etc… Many people would come just to show their social status instead of going because they actually liked seeing opera or dance.
I feel like this idea of going to events solely just to be seen there is still very much prevalent in our current society. Also, I feel like this concept has become twisted in its own way thanks to technology and social media. For example, I see so many kids who go to concerts or music festivals just to get pictures and videos of themselves there with their friends. It’s clear that that’s why they go because they’re on their phones the entire time and never stop for a second just to focus on the music. Interestingly enough, I don’t think that this type of behavior is really any different from a rich social elite who came to the Palais Garnier just to be seen by other elites. They may not have had Facebook or cameras, but their goal would have been just the same: have as many “important” people see me going to this cool or “classy” event.
After another great tour with our friend from Accent(unfortunately I can’t remember his name), we were able to get a backstage tour(which never ever happens apparently!) of the Opera Garnier from the amazing Adrien Couvez. Adrien gave us some insights into how the Paris Opera works. He talked about how even 10 years ago, the company would have stayed away from more contemporary non-traditional pieces. Now, however, he says that they are hungry for these same pieces that might never have made it onto the program just a short time ago. I feel like this is also the case for major orchestras today who might have stayed away from pieces outside of the classical cannon, but now are incorporating wacky new programming to try and bring in new audiences who wouldn’t otherwise show up to see something like an all Beethoven program.

A shadowed statue inside the Palais Garnier

A backstage view of Paris from the Palais Garnier

The grand Palais Garnier