This building, designed to become the new home of the Paris Opera company, opened on the eve of Bastille Day, July 13th, 1989.
It was conceived as an opera house for the twenty first century, a replacement for the Palais Garnier, the company's former home. As with the Palais Garnier a competition was held to find a design. And, just as the nineteenth century project had been endorsed by the Emperor Napoleon III, the new opera house was personally promoted by President Mitterand. The winning architect was Carlos Ott, who was born in Uruguay and had emigrated to North America.
In 1989, four years after construction work had begun, difficulties arose between the administration and the newly-appointed artistic director, Daniel Barenboim. It was felt that his plans for the inaugural season were not ambitious or starry enough to reflect the scale and profile of the building project.
This manifestation of the age-old power struggle between artists and those that employ them resulted in BarenboimΓÇÖs resignation. Several other prominent musicians left in sympathy with his stand for artistic control in the house for which he was responsible. He was replaced by Myung-Whun Chung, who also departed after a short stay. In the end the delays and disturbances made it impossible to stage the lavish opening ceremony as it had been devised.
