“If I am the phantom/it is because man`s hatred has made me so/If am to be saved /it is because your love redeems me.”
Then the spectacular roar, that the great stage artists of the world have re-interpreted, each in his own way, since the master Lloyd Webber created for humanity, one of the most beautiful musical play in the world: The Phantom of the Opera.
Mr.Webber is British, the author of the libretto (Gaston Leroux) is French, The Phantom was played on all the important stages of the world, but the myth, the history and the scenography of the whole plot are…Parisian. The Garnier Opera House, the architectural wonder of the City of Love is the setting, the background, the home of the famous musical.

The Garnier Opera House (Opéra Garnier): the haunted colored list:

• Once you`ve  passed by Madeleine, heading towards Lafayette galleries, in a leisurely stroll, as you have many things to admire on your way, there appears, in front of you, eccentric and opulent, in a baroque&Beaux-Art style, as it is suitable for one of the famous opera houses in the world. And yes, it`s really an important must-see on the list of Parisian sights, because, not only its exquisitely and richly ornamented façade is worth admiring, but also the interior, just as spectacular

• The impressive and fabulously decorated building was raised by the architect Charles Garnier in the 19th century, at Napolen III`s request, being called Salle des Capucines, at first, because of its location on the Boulevard des Capucines

• The exterior is considered eclectic, being designed in a Second Empire Beaux-Arts style, but having neo-baroque elements and many details from Greek mythology-small statues and deities, columns and a lot of marble, sculptures that dazzle you, as well as bronze busts of Rossini, Beethoven, Mozart, Meyerbeer and many others…

• Personally, I was flabbergasted when I saw the Grand Foyer with its countless, spectacular paintings, depicting moments from the history of music, in a huge hall, 154 meters long and 18 meters high

• The auditorium is not less impressive, with its famous and so controversial chandelier –it weighs 7 tons of bronze and crystals and was designed by Garnier himself, being often criticized because it obstructed the view of some people, in the concert hall and it obviously cost a fortune, and also cost some people their lives, when it fell over the audience, in 1896. The ceiling, which was originally painted by Jules Eugène Lenepveu was replaced with one of Chagall`s creations, which is to my taste. WOW!

• The stage in the auditorium is the biggest in the world, it`s actually a work of art in itself, and can host 450 artists

• The white marble staircase with its balustrade made of red and green marble is impressive, the ceiling depicting The Triumph of Apollo and other extraordinary representations, was also a great accomplishment within the Opera

• All the details related to the staircase and the maze-like corridors, the exquisite velvet, the precious crystals and gilded decorations, emphasized by angels and divinities and paintings, without relation to time, turn Palais Garnier into such a sophisticated and elaborate achievement ,that, I believe, Garnier, himself was surprised by what he created in the end.

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