Cities and Regions
The next sections identify works about specific opera companies. Certain difficulties
are presented by this literature. One is that the words opéraand opéra-comiqueare
used in a generic sense and also as names of formal institutions. Usually, capital letters
identify the latter, which is convenient in French titles where the generics would nor-
mally appear in lowercase; but in English and German titles, capitalization applies to
both the generic and specific uses of the words. Another troublesome point is the fact
that the formal names of major institutions have changed frequently over their lives and
that names overlap different entities at times. Finally, we have the ubiquitous abbrevi-
ation of formal names. All in all, a bibliography of works on French opera may be a
nest of ambiguities. The same ambiguities are carried into histories, and the articles in
works like NGDOare often a tangle of shifting terminology.
Paris: Théâtre National de l’Opéra
This is the institution usually referred to as the Paris Opera, or L’Opéra. It has been
primarily housed in the structure known as Opéra Bastille since 1990 but remains
identified with the glorious building it occupied from 1875, the Palais Garnier (now
used for nonoperatic performances). As an entity it was created in 1669. Some writers
about L’Opéra include attention to the 1645 performances of Italian opera at the
Palais Royal (see #2260 and #2267). The titles that follow are arranged according to
the periods they cover.
- Pitou, Spire. The Paris Opéra: An Encyclopedia of Operas, Ballets, Com-
posers, and Performers. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood, 1983–1990. 3v. in 4.
ISBN 0-313-21420-4. ML1727.8 .P2 P5.
A major compilation of articles, in alphabetical order, on works performed
(with synopses of plots), artists, entities, and topics. Appendixes list male and
female singers and dancers, 1671–1982, and the repertoire in chronological
sequence, 1671–1715. Index of names, works, and subjects. - Gregoir, Edouard G. J. Des gloires de l’Opéra et la musique à Paris. Brussels:
Schott, 1878–1881. 3v. ML1727.8 .P2 G7.
A documentary chronology of performances through 1880. Includes ballets de
courand the concerts spirituel,with much detail provided. No index. - Gourret, Jean. Les hommes qui on fait l’Opéra, 1669–1984. Paris: Albatros,
- 298 p. No ISBN. ML1727.8 .P2 G63.
A valuable gathering of documents, beginning with the privilege given to Per-
rin in 1669 and concluding with the 1978 Decret,which established the
“Théâtre National de l’Opéra de Paris,” an umbrella agency that supervises
the various theaters and companies. Also biographies of all 54 directors who
served from 1669 to 1983, as well as annual budgets and accounts, amplified
with helpful commentary. Notes, bibliography of sources, name/topic index. - Gourret, Jean. Dictionnaire des cantatrices de l’Opéra de Paris.2nd ed. Paris:
Albatros, 1987. 319p. plus 40 plates. No ISBN. ML1727.8 .P2 G636.
France 427