Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The National Opera in Lorraine, Nancy, was founded in 1755 under the reign of Stanislas Leszczynski, with the construction of a first theatre on Stanislas Square, destroyed by fire in 1906. This initial theatre, replaced by the Museum of Fine Arts, symbolized the cultural development of Lorraine under the influence of the fallen Duke of Poland, who became Duke of Lorraine by alliance. The 1906 fire, which occurred after a rehearsal of Mignon, marked a turning point in the history of the place, leading to its reconstruction.

The reconstruction of the opera was entrusted to architect Joseph Hornecker, winner of a competition launched in 1906. Despite debates about its location, the project was maintained in Stanislas Square thanks to the nationalization of the Hotel des Fermes in 1909, a former ecclesiastical property. The site, delayed by World War I, culminated in an inauguration in 1919. Hornecker designed an Italian theatre, mixing modern structure in reinforced concrete (dissimulated under cardboard-stone decorations) and classic aesthetics, with Art Nouveau touches in the eastern bar.

Ranked a historic monument in 1923, the opera was restored in 1994 to its original state. In 2006, he obtained the status of national opera in the region, becoming the 5th in France. His centenary in 2019 was celebrated with an exhibition tracing three centuries of theatrical life in Nancy, highlighting his role in disseminating lyrical repertoires, from ancient music to contemporary creation. The institution now houses an orchestra, a choir and a training centre for the professions of the stage.

The opera architecture is distinguished by its 1,050-seat room, with balconies without columns (thanks to concrete), and its rococo fireplace decorated with stucco. The stage, equipped with partly manual machinery, allows for complex stage effects. The oriental bar, inspired by Art Nouveau, bears witness to the influence of the Nancy School, although the building remains mostly classic. Since 2019, Matthieu Dussouillez has been the general manager, and Marta Gardolińska is the musical director, leading a team of 180 people.

The opera is part of a national and European cultural network, a member of the Réunion des Opéras de France and of the Opera Europa. His eclectic repertoire, worn by the Orchestre de l'Opéra national de Lorraine, makes him a major actor in the artistic life of the Great East. The building, owned by the city of Nancy, thus perpetuates the legacy of Stanislas Leszczynski, while adapting to modern stage requirements.

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