Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg
Encyclopedia
The Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg, inaugurated in 1964 as the Théâtre Municipal de la Ville de Luxembourg, underwent renovation work in 2002–2003 resulting in substantial improvements to the stage technology, acoustics and lighting facilities. It is the city's major venue for drama, opera and ballet.
's main theatre had been the Théâtre des Capucins
located near the centre of the old town. In December 1958, after the need for a properly designed theatre building had become a priority, a competition was launched with a view to completing the construction work for the millennium celebrations in 1963. The winner was Alain Bourbonnais, a Parisian architect. Work began in autumn 1959 and the theatre was festively inaugurated on 15 April 1964.
Over the years, it became increasingly difficult to cope with the staging requirements of touring companies. Safety requirements also needed to be upgraded while asbestos had to be removed from the existing fabric. The work was entrusted to Kurt Gerling and Werner Arendt of Gerling + Arendt Planungsgesellschaft mbH of Berlin
. The building was equipped with modern facilities and technical features, satisfying European requirements in regard to stage technology and facility management while the distinctive architecture of the original building remained intact.
, the Barbican Centre
, the National Theatre of Great Britain
and Deutsches Theater Berlin
. There have been coproductions with La Monnaie
, Brussels, the Wooster Group
, New York, and the Théâtre National de l'Opéra Comique
, Paris. Visiting dance companies have included Nederlands Dans Theater, Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker
, and the Michael Clark Company
. The theatre has twice been the host venue for the Eurovision Song Contest
, in 1973 and again in 1984.
.
History
Since 1869, Luxembourg CityLuxembourg (city)
The city of Luxembourg , also known as Luxembourg City , is a commune with city status, and the capital of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It is located at the confluence of the Alzette and Pétrusse Rivers in southern Luxembourg...
's main theatre had been the Théâtre des Capucins
Théâtre des Capucins
Théâtre des Capucins is a theatre in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. Directed by Marc Olinger, the Capuchin Theater is located in the heart of the Old Town. It puts on performances in German, French and Luxembourgish.-References:...
located near the centre of the old town. In December 1958, after the need for a properly designed theatre building had become a priority, a competition was launched with a view to completing the construction work for the millennium celebrations in 1963. The winner was Alain Bourbonnais, a Parisian architect. Work began in autumn 1959 and the theatre was festively inaugurated on 15 April 1964.
Over the years, it became increasingly difficult to cope with the staging requirements of touring companies. Safety requirements also needed to be upgraded while asbestos had to be removed from the existing fabric. The work was entrusted to Kurt Gerling and Werner Arendt of Gerling + Arendt Planungsgesellschaft mbH of Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
. The building was equipped with modern facilities and technical features, satisfying European requirements in regard to stage technology and facility management while the distinctive architecture of the original building remained intact.
Current configuration
The theatre consists of two auditoriums: the main theatre with 943 seats and the studio which has up to 400 seats but can be compartmentalized. There is also an underground car park with 450 parking spaces. Improved cloakroom facilities have been installed in the lower level of the foyer while a new bar and fittings have been added to the upper level.Collaboration and performances
Able to accommodate high calibre productions in opera, theatre and dance, the Grand Théâtre is one of the most sophisticated venues in Europe. In recent years, collaboration has extended to the English National OperaEnglish National Opera
English National Opera is an opera company based in London, resident at the London Coliseum in St. Martin's Lane. It is one of the two principal opera companies in London, along with the Royal Opera, Covent Garden...
, the Barbican Centre
Barbican Centre
The Barbican Centre is the largest performing arts centre in Europe. Located in the City of London, England, the Centre hosts classical and contemporary music concerts, theatre performances, film screenings and art exhibitions. It also houses a library, three restaurants, and a conservatory...
, the National Theatre of Great Britain
Royal National Theatre
The Royal National Theatre in London is one of the United Kingdom's two most prominent publicly funded theatre companies, alongside the Royal Shakespeare Company...
and Deutsches Theater Berlin
Deutsches Theater
The Deutsches Theater in Berlin is a well-known German theatre. It was built in 1850 as Friedrich-Wilhelm-Städtisches Theater, after Frederick William IV of Prussia. Located on Schumann Street , the Deutsches Theater consists of two adjoining stages that share a common, classical facade...
. There have been coproductions with La Monnaie
La Monnaie
Le Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie , or the Koninklijke Muntschouwburg is a theatre in Brussels, Belgium....
, Brussels, the Wooster Group
The Wooster Group
The Wooster Group is a New York City-based experimental theater company known for creating numerous original dramatic works. It gradually emerged during 1975-1980 from Richard Schechner's The Performance Group and took its name in 1980...
, New York, and the Théâtre National de l'Opéra Comique
Opéra-Comique
The Opéra-Comique is a Parisian opera company, which was founded around 1714 by some of the popular theatres of the Parisian fairs. In 1762 the company was merged with, and for a time took the name of its chief rival the Comédie-Italienne at the Hôtel de Bourgogne, and was also called the...
, Paris. Visiting dance companies have included Nederlands Dans Theater, Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker
Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker
Anne Teresa, Baroness De Keersmaeker is one of the most prominent choreographers in contemporary dance...
, and the Michael Clark Company
Michael Clark (dancer)
Michael Clark is a Scottish dancer and choreographer.-Early life:Michael Clark was born in Aberdeen and began traditional Scottish dancing at the age of four. In 1975 he left home to study at the Royal Ballet School in London, and on his final day at the school he was presented with the Ursula...
. The theatre has twice been the host venue for the Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
, in 1973 and again in 1984.
Location
The Grand Théâtre is located on the north-eastern corner of the Rond-Point Schumann, between the Glacis, where there is plenty of parking space, and the Red BridgeGrand Duchess Charlotte Bridge
The Grand Duchess Charlotte Bridge is a road bridge in Luxembourg City, in southern Luxembourg.It carries the N51 across the Alzette, connecting the Avenue John Fitzgerald Kennedy, in Kirchberg, to Boulevard Robert Schuman, in Limpertsberg...
.