Sigma Alpha Iota

18 Fall 2023 • sai-national.org 18 Fall 2023 • sai-national.org By Jayne I. Hanlin By Jayne I. Hanlin The Grand- Grand-éâ éâtre de Bordeaux, one of the most tre de Bordeaux, one of the most beautiful theaters in the world, was inaugurated beautiful theaters in the world, was inaugurated in France in April 1780 — nine years before the in France in April 1780 — nine years before the French Revolution. Designed by Victor Louis French Revolution. Designed by Victor Louis (1731–1800), the opera house, which today features operas, concerts, (1731–1800), the opera house, which today features operas, concerts, ballets, and plays, has exceptional acoustics. A dozen tall Corinthian ballets, and plays, has exceptional acoustics. A dozen tall Corinthian columns adorn the façade of this Neo-classical masterpiece. Atop the columns adorn the façade of this Neo-classical masterpiece. Atop the colonnade are twelve limestone statues — three Roman goddesses and colonnade are twelve limestone statues — three Roman goddesses and all nine muses — designed by Pierre-François Berruer. From le to right all nine muses — designed by Pierre-François Berruer. From le to right stand Euterpe, Urania, Venus, Calliope, Terpsichore, Melpomene, alia, stand Euterpe, Urania, Venus, Calliope, Terpsichore, Melpomene, alia, Polyhymnia, Juno, Minerva, Erato, and Clio. Polyhymnia, Juno, Minerva, Erato, and Clio. I hired Aur I hired Aurélie Chopy as an English-speaking private guide to tour this lie Chopy as an English-speaking private guide to tour this magnificent structure. e first stop was a large Amédée Jouandot statue of magnificent structure. e first stop was a large Amédée Jouandot statue of the architect dated MDCCCLXXX, the centennial of the building. the architect dated MDCCCLXXX, the centennial of the building. Straight ahead was the limestone bannister of the grand staircase, a Straight ahead was the limestone bannister of the grand staircase, a place where wealthy aristocracy could show off in their expensive clothes. place where wealthy aristocracy could show off in their expensive clothes. is staircase inspired Charles Garnier is staircase inspired Charles Garnier's design of a similar one for Palais s design of a similar one for Palais Garnier in Paris. I climbed the flight to the entrance reserved for royalty. Garnier in Paris. I climbed the flight to the entrance reserved for royalty. Flanking the door are tall statues of Melpomene and alia identified by Flanking the door are tall statues of Melpomene and alia identified by the masks they hold — tragedy and comedy. the masks they hold — tragedy and comedy. Added concurrently with the Added concurrently with the architect's statue in the foyer were two other statues in niches formerly filled architect's statue in the foyer were two other statues in niches formerly filled with garlands of fresh flowers. with garlands of fresh flowers. On the right, past the stairs used by commoners long ago, and through On the right, past the stairs used by commoners long ago, and through a side door on the le was the Grande Salle (or main auditorium). e a side door on the le was the Grande Salle (or main auditorium). e breathtaking view filled me with rapture and awe. ere were no red plush breathtaking view filled me with rapture and awe. ere were no red plush seats or curtains; instead, the colors of royalty — blue, white, and gold — seats or curtains; instead, the colors of royalty — blue, white, and gold — decorated the room. decorated the room. Fortunately, the stone building has never caught fire, even though Fortunately, the stone building has never caught fire, even though the inside walls are entirely overlaid with wood. Noting how material the inside walls are entirely overlaid with wood. Noting how material and shape have always guaranteed great acoustics, Aur and shape have always guaranteed great acoustics, Aurélie motioned lie motioned her hands to show how sound onstage follows around the horseshoe her hands to show how sound onstage follows around the horseshoe auditorium. auditorium. To accommodate the audience are 1114 individual chairs covered To accommodate the audience are 1114 individual chairs covered with pastel blue velvet; under the stage (protected by an iron fire curtain) with pastel blue velvet; under the stage (protected by an iron fire curtain) is Europe is Europe's largest orchestra pit. Astonishingly, all the inside walls are s largest orchestra pit. Astonishingly, all the inside walls are actually painted. ey look like marble blocks or even green swag actually painted. ey look like marble blocks or even green swag curtains in the upstairs boxes. From downstairs up close or at a curtains in the upstairs boxes. From downstairs up close or at a A Wld of Music The Grand-Théâtre de Bordeaux

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