Théâtre Graslin, Neoclassical opera house in Nantes, France.
The Théâtre Graslin is a neoclassical opera house in Nantes built from granite and limestone. The building features an Italian-style auditorium with around 823 seats beneath an ornately decorated ceiling.
Jean-Joseph-Louis Graslin funded the theatre as the centrepiece of his speculative development on the place Graslin; Mathurin Crucy drew the plans in 1780 and the house opened on 23 March 1788. A fire destroyed it in 1796, and it was rebuilt in time for Napoleon's visit in 1811. It has been listed as a monument historique since 8 December 1998.
The theatre is one of two resident venues of the syndicat mixte Angers-Nantes Opéra, sharing its programme with the Grand Théâtre d'Angers. Its name honours Jean-Joseph-Louis Graslin, the receveur général des fermes who bought the Bouvet and La Cagassais farmland and financed the district around the square to raise the value of his plots.
The theatre stands on place Graslin, between the streets Molière, Scribe and Corneille, in central Nantes. The auditorium seats 784. Access to the auditorium depends on the performance schedule, so check it before planning a visit.
The seven statues on the roofline and the eight columns below are visible from the place Graslin, which the theatre's success turned into the new centre of Nantes. Graslin had bought farmland here for a speculative development and used the theatre to draw wealthy buyers to the district.
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