Grand Theatre, Opera house in Theatre Square, Warsaw, Poland
The Grand Theatre is a neoclassical opera house on Theatre Square in Warsaw, Poland, with a facade crowned by a bronze sculpture of Apollo's quadriga. Its two main halls seat 2089 in total and feature multi-level balconies, wide foyers and corridors with polished floors.
Architect Antonio Corazzi designed the building, which opened in 1833 with a performance of Rossini's The Barber of Seville. During World War II, 75 percent of the structure was destroyed, yet the facade remained standing and reconstruction continued into the postwar decades.
The building serves as home to the National Opera and Polish National Ballet, which stage both classical masterworks and contemporary choreography. Visitors attending performances can observe the high regard locals hold for this institution in the cultural life of the capital.
The former ballrooms house the Theatre Museum, which displays collections related to Polish performing arts and is accessible during opening hours. Visitors should check ahead for guided tour availability, as tours run only at certain times.
The bronze quadriga on the roof shows Apollo in a chariot pulled by four horses and is one of the few sculptures of this kind on a Polish theatre. It was reconstructed after the war and now serves as a landmark that watches over the square by day and by night.
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