Description
The Hanoi Opera House, also known as the Grand Opera House, is located in the heart of Hanoi, Vietnam. The French colonial authority constructed it between 1901 and 1911. Hanoi Opera House is one of three opera houses erected by the French in Indochina; the others are Haiphong Opera House and Ho Chi Minh City Municipal Theatre.
It is a historic theatre with French architecture with Gothic and Mosaic elements reflected in the domes of the doors and the glassed-in room, respectively.
The Ha Noi Opera House has been a destination for lovers of theatrical performances, traditional songs and music, symphonies, opera, and classical opera for many years. It is also a tourism destination for both domestic and international visitors.
The Ha Noi Opera House is well-known for its distinctive architecture and excellent composition. It is thoughtfully and harmoniously furnished. Since its founding, the Hanoi Opera House has been Vietnam’s largest theater. Its construction began in 1901 and was finished in 1911. Historically, the site was a large pond adjacent to the Tay Long (or Tay Luong) city gate of the ancient Thang Long Capital. Due to the fact that the theater’s foundations were built on a pond, the construction encountered many challenges. Before constructing a nearly one-meter-thick concrete foundation, the pond was emptied and dredged, and 30,000 firm bamboo stakes were set on its bed.
The Ha Noi Opera House shares the same architectural style as the Paris Opera House. Some international architects claim that because the Ha Noi Opera House was constructed approximately 300 years after the Paris Opera House, it eschews extraneous architectural elements, making it more beautiful and appealing.
After nearly a century of operation, the theater’s equipment and decorations had aged and deteriorated. Two Vietnamese-French architects, Ho Thieu Tri and Hoang Phuc Sinh, oversaw the renovation and modernization of the theater in 1997. The original structure of the three-story theater has been preserved. The ceiling, arches, walls, and doors were adorned with new ornamentation. The 3-meter-high stage and 600-seat audience hall were also updated in accordance with international standards.
The theatre’s state-of-the-art facilities and equipment are compatible with all forms of artistic performances, from folk music and songs, ballets and piano to classical opera, reformed opera, Vietnamese operetta and drama, all of which left the audience in awe. The Ha Noi Opera House has also successfully organized numerous international concerts on a grand scale.
Performances in Hanoi Opera House
In the past, only Western performers performed for French officials and wealthy Vietnamese at this theater. Nowadays, Hanoi Opera House is one of Hanoi’s cultural centers where national and international art displays, concerts, dance performances, and other events typically take place.
The theater is where the Vietnamese Orchestra chooses to perform on a regular basis, oftentimes alongside internationally renowned musicians. In the past, the venue hosted Hilary Hahn, Yo-Yo Ma, Wolfgang Glemser, and Gudmundur Emilsson, among others. The two noteworthy classical concerts held yearly at Hanoi Opera House are the Toyota Concert and the Hennessy Classical Concert, both of which include internationally acclaimed classical performers.
In addition, there are a variety of cultural events ranging from traditional Vietnamese music to more contemporary pop music performed by nationally renowned artists such as My Linh, Thanh Lam, and Hong Nhung. The price also varies based on the size of the event, but typically ranges from 100,000 VND to 500,000 VND and up to 2 million VND for a VIP seat, which by Western standards is reasonable.
Architecture of Hanoi Opera House
The Hanoi Opera House, which was inspired by traditional Greek architecture and the Paris Opera House, deserves to be included among the most representative, well-designed, and artistic structures in Asia. It represents flawlessly an outstanding example of neoclassical French architecture with Gothic elements, including tall columns, shuttered windows, a classic roof, and balconies.
The Hanoi Opera House is 2600 square meters in size and 34 meters tall on average. It faces Trang Tien Street, one of Hanoi’s busiest streets at the time, and is adjacent to the new Hilton Opera Hotel, which also features French architecture.
The entire structure comprises of three distinct components:
1 Floor
You will first see a T-shaped stone stairway going to the second story, where the theater is located. The combination of a marble-tiled floor and designs with classical motifs evokes a sense of wealth. The upper chandeliers are gilt, while the smaller ones on the wall are ancient copper-plated.
2 Floor
There are large mirrors between the doors, hence the name “Mirror Room.” Each chandelier, table, and piece of furniture is modeled after traditional French design. Numerous significant events, such as the signing of government documents, the ceremonial of welcoming guests, chamber music performances, and press conferences, have taken place at this location. This room’s floor, which was reconstructed utilizing Mosaic techniques and Italian stones, is one of its most extraordinary aspects.
3 Floor
It is a 24×24-meter Audience Room with a massive stage, three tiers of chairs, and 598 seats. The space is sophisticatedly adorned with Corinthian Order, a colorful graffiti dome, and nineteenth-century French-style seats. The entire environment is a harmonious blend of color, sound, and light.
The fact that the Hanoi Opera House does not strictly adhere to Classic French Architecture may surprise you. From the outside, it is evident that there are several architectural styles. The roof and column arrangement adhere to the Roman Ionic Order. The curved balconies and dome over the main entrance indicate early 17th-century Italian Baroque construction. The roof spanning two sides along the car entrance is characteristic of the Art Nouveau style. Together, they produce a strong impression of a Neoclassical structure based on eclecticism, which will gratify anybody who is interested in fantastic architectural and decorating art.
History of Hanoi Opera House
The opera theater was constructed between 1901 and 1911, drawing influence from the Palais Garnier, the most famous opera house in Paris. The Hanoi Opera House is the largest theater in Vietnam and serves as evidence of Vietnam’s cultural and historical development during French administration. The interior is even more magnificent than the outside; it is claimed to be more beautiful than the Paris Opera House.
During the French colonial era, the opera house was mostly frequented by French colonial officers and their wives. It was a European cultural monument, not for the Vietnamese. During the most of the French era, practically all of the artists performing at the Opera House were European. However, in the 1940s, Vietnamese could hire “the Western Theater” to organize special performances and concerts, particularly to generate funds for charity reasons such as flood victims.
After the revolution of 1945, the Hanoi Opera House transformed from a venue for French colonial elites to a significant location for historical events, such as the inaugural session of the National Assembly of the Republic. The structure deteriorated in the years that followed. The Hanoi Opera House was refurbished and modernized in 1997, including the installation of contemporary technology and the replacement of several interior decorations.
These renovations restored the opera house to its former splendour, allowing foreign musicians such as violinist Hilary Hahn and pianist Wolfgang Glehn to perform alongside local artists. Vietnamese artists present songs, theatre, dance, classical music, and modern works by superstars such as the vocalist My Linh. The Hanoi Opera House is a great venue for live performances. The stage is three meters tall, and there are a total of three seating levels, so regardless of where you are placed, you will have a magnificent experience.
Working Hours
- Monday Open all day
- Tuesday Open all day
- Wednesday Open all day
- Thursday Open all day
- Friday Open all day
- Saturday Open all day
- Sunday Open all day
Location / Contacts
- Address : 1 Tràng Tiền, Phan Chu Trinh, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
- Phone : +842439330113
- Mail : haseco@hn.vnn.vn
- Website : http://hanoioperahouse.org.vn/
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