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The original opera house, is called Palais Garnier, after its architect, Charles Garnier and the subject matter of Caty Latham’s carre.

The Palais Garnier can comfortably (and luxuriously) accommodate 1,979 opera lovers under its fabulous roof and ceiling, which was painted much later by Marc Chagall.  Today Palais Garnier is primarily used for ballet performances while operas are performed at the modern Opéra Bastille.

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Built between 1861 to 1875 during the Second Empire, Charles Garnier pulled out all the stops when he designed his opera house.

Blending architectural elements and styles from the renaissance, baroque and classical periods, Garnier created a spectacular building and a Parisian icon.

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Sitting at Le Relais de l’Entrecôte across the street, sipping my café au lait, I have a front-row seat to Monsieur Garnier’s architectural masterpiece. As I listen to the faint strains of music, I wonder if it is the Phantom himself I am hearing.

Caty Latham, much like Garnier himself, has created a masterful composition that would undoubtedly have impressed the great architect.

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