The building of the Opéra national du Rhin, the centerpiece of Place Broglie in Strasbourg, famous for its columns classified as historical monuments since 1921, and its Italian-style hall, is it able to accommodate the opera of 21st century?

The question is once again asked even if the presentation of the report of the Information and Evaluation Mission (MIE) on the future of opera made it possible to gather valuable recommendations.

Report approved by a unanimous vote at the last municipal council.

The building has had serious limitations for over twenty years.

The reception of the public has moreover been discouraged by the safety committees since 1997. The smallness of the place, which limits the number of places, also generates major technical constraints.

Yet the opera is officially one of the five regional operas in France.

A difficult decision

To deal with the emergency, all successive municipal teams carried out work.

With a partial safety in 2005 and the addition of a building and two temporary staircases.

Then between 2010 and 2012 with the reinforcement of the lifting systems above the stage and the renovation of the roof and the gallery of columns.

But time does not help matters, and the urgency demands a decision, made difficult by financial and cultural issues.

Build a new building, but in this case on which site and what to do with the historic building which will have to be renovated anyway?

Limit itself to restructuring and expanding the current building despite space constraints?

No municipal team has really embarked on the adventure.

The “hot potato” therefore goes to Jeanne Barseghian (EELV).

"We are talking about an amount of 400 million euros"

With the MIE report, "we can see much more clearly, however the question of deciding now does not yet arise", hammered the mayor.

Fundamental questions must be resolved: "What is an opera in the 21st century?"

What is the cultural project in connection with the city's other cultural facilities?

What synergies at regional, cross-border, European level?

Additional questions that will allow a methodology to be defined, assures the mayor.

There are urgent decisions to make users and staff safe.

From 2022, funds will have to be committed in this direction ”.

As for the choice of an extension or a new building, it will be operated “during this mandate, promises the mayor.

We are still talking about an amount of 400 million euros, half of the investments of the city of Strasbourg.

"

And to achieve this, the municipal team is thinking of a multi-partner economic and financial model.

But "we are not yet at the end of the questions, we still have to think about it," repeats Jeanne Barseghian.

Finally, at the end of 2021, the mystery of the opera remains (almost) whole.

Strasbourg, from local to global

Strasbourg

Strasbourg: decried, the administrative center gets a makeover

  • Culture

  • Strasbourg

  • Opera

  • Town planning