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The Chandelier
Is it true than the Opera's chandelier felt down towards the audience?
Yes it is, with no doubt.
It happened on May 20, 1896 during the performance of the opera Helle.
In Les Annales du Theatre et Musique from 1896, we can read the
official article:
"A terrible accident happened in this evening of May 20, in the performance
of Helle at 8:57 pm exactly. First Act was almost finishing and it was
going to start the romance sung by Mme. Caron, when a formidable noise was
heard. At the same time, a flash of light appeared, quick like a lightning,
followed by a cloud of dust which came from the ceiling. The chandelier was
about to collapse into the auditorium.
Everyone thought it was an anarchist attack.
The audience began to run quickly to the exit-doors, meanwhile Mme. Caron
and all the cast remained in the stage trying to calm people.
Suddenly, at the amphitheatre took place a terrible explosion and part of the
audience had to jump into the auditorium.
The guards and Opera director tried to evacuate people, and when they
thought everyone was safe, they heard a cry.
They found it was a young girl, covered with blood, who pointed out her
mother who was at sit number 13, under some rubbish fallen from the ceiling.
Firemen achieved rescue her, but it was very late, she was dead.
She was Mme. Chomette, 56 years old, porter in Rochechouart Rue.
There were no more deaths, but after the chandelier falling, a terrible fire
started".
It seems one of the supports which assure the stability of the chandelier failed,
causing this terrible event. Nobody knows how this could happen.
The chandelier designed by Garnier and created by Corboz, it's made of
bronze and crystal. It has 340 lights and it weights 7 tons.
To construct it, it was necessary to build a special frame in the courtyard of the
factory which was capable of supporting its weight.
The auditorium illumination is completed with a crown of gems (diamonds,
emeralds, rubies) created by Garnier around the chandelier and decorated with
a line of light-globes which evocate pearls.
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