Opera theatre from antiquity to the present (Odessa) Part No. 1

Yeah, after I started writing this post, I realized that one small part is not to get rid of. It is simply impossible to describe in the Opera of Odessa, the history of which is equal to the longevity of life of the city, in a nutshell. So, get ready to read a lot of letters and a few parts.

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Part No. 1

Opera is inextricably linked with the history of Odessa. This is not surprising. As the world-famous "Opera house" older than the city for a few years. The history of its Foundation is connected and the SIM. Duke de Richelieu. This prominent mayor, politician understood how to develop the city, make it popular and famous. Duke (still referred to as the Odessa Richelieu) understand that the port small town has become a haven for members of various Nations. Well, what can bond diverse people? Right: only the music.

Yes, the first time the theatre was a small stage, set in one of the retail stores. It is on this small stage without much decoration and craftsmanship were played by the 1st statement. Opera Ablesimov "Miller, sorcerer, deceiver and matchmaker" put the ordinary soldiers, lovers of high art.

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The first years of the Opera was marked by the fact that the performances staged in different parts: the stage of small retail shops, scenes set in markets and so on. This entire ordeal lasted until 1809.

Duke was able to knock the assent of the authorities for the construction of the 1st large building in the city, now "of the Odessa national theatre of Opera and ballet". The construction was started in 1804 by the Architect was an Italian, Francesco Frapolli. But his project was somewhat underdeveloped. His view of the project expressed the Frenchman Thomas de Thomon. His changes were accepted and began a 5-year construction of the Opera!

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All work was completed in the autumn of 1809. But it only opened on 10 February 1810. Opened the theatre's 1-act Opera frelich "New family" and vaudeville "Comforted the widow." Follow was introduced in the formulation of the troupe Fortunatov.

The initial structure was located somewhat lower than the current. It was almost near the Park of the Palais Royal.

Architecture was struck by its beauty and French elegance. Snow-white building, done in a classic style, decorated with Corinthian portico. Gable looked at the English club (now the Museum of the Navy of the country). The façade facing the port.

It was a large and spacious room. Performances can attend up to 800 people simultaneously. This despite the fact that at that time in the city, there were only 12 and a half thousand residents. Following the example of the Italian buildings, the hall had three stories. In total there were 17 built and equipped lodges. However there was only 44. The rest of the audience could follow all the action on stage, standing in the stalls. It housed over 700 people. The first Opera house contemporaries compared with the ancient temples. Opera, was considered to be the most beautiful in the whole Russian Empire.

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Regular performances were staged, beginning in 1811, after a contract was signed with the company of Prince Shakhovsky. But the era of Russian art in the Opera was not long. Since 1822, there begins to dominate Italian Opera. This is because the preference of the classics of Opera, entrepreneurs, Montovani, Zamboni Banavali and so on. But this does not mean that Russian art was forgotten. For example, in 1836 on the scene of Theatre is the Moscow dancer K. Bogdanov with their daughters. There was presented the ballet "La Sylphide" and "Paquita".

One time, after a 13-month stay of Pushkin in Odessa, the theatre was called in honor of the poet. Yes, it is here that the young Pushkin spent a large amount of their time. The adoration of Opera is reflected in his work. First, he said quite loud words: "Italian Opera in Odessa updated my soul." Well, and then, under his pen there was a great row at the Odessa Opera in his famous work "Eugene Onegin".

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The building of the theater is constantly subjected to modifications and updates. Eliminated flaws, repaired defects, and so on. Just counted a few significant rearrangements: 1820 – 1822, 1831 – ' 33, 1836, 1857 and 1872. These restructuring brought many innovations. As a result, the axis of the colon was built a stone wall, which expanded the lobby. From the Reshilevskoy was constructed of stone in the lobby is one floor.

A few words about the interior. Looked like the inside of Opera, we can learn from the many memoirs and letters of contemporaries. At first the hall was covered kanatami, and the chandelier came a little later. Help. Kankei, is a 5-end chandeliers, which are mounted to outer walls of the lodges. The stage itself was lit through large ramadam butter. For lighting used wax and tallow candles. That's what made the atmosphere in the theatre is quite attractive. Contemporaries noted that the air was unusual: a mixture of candle soot and cloying smell ladies ' perfume. The gallery was lost in the darkness. Did the performance on stage is truly magical, the lights seemed blindingly bright, and all the action – fantastic, surreal and covered with mystery of magic.

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Yes, that was the first building of Opera theater in Odessa. It lasted 2 Feb 1873. Night, from-for leakages of gas, which highlighted the theatre clock located above the entrance, the building fell under the blows of the cruel, all-consuming violence of the flames.

To be continued...