La Scala, the Bolchoi, le Palais Garnier--opera houses are mythical places that evoke dreams and creativity. For centuries, these temples of the arts have been dedicated to the creative work of Mozart, Verdi, Tchaikovsky and Nureyev, and have been designed to allow brilliant performers to display their talents amidst sumptuous costumes and sets. Created by some of the most talented architects, builders and designers of their generations, opera houses have inspired veneration from audiences for centuries, from royalty and commoners alike. Moving from Sydney to Covent Garden, from Beijing to Saint Petersburg, from Oslo to Manaus, from le Petit Trianon to New York and San Francisco, photographer Guillaume de Laubier and journalist Antoine Pecqueur explore twenty-five of the world's most beautiful opera houses. They offer us a greater understanding of their architectural role, as well as their place in history. Whether baroque, romanesque, or minimalist, opera houses bear witness to the tides of history and to the ideals of those who built them. In addition to the sweeping views of ornate auditoriums and facades, the book opens doors normally closed to the public, entering the artists' dressing rooms, rehearsal halls, scenery workshops and more, presenting a wide-ranging and compelling look into the spectacular world of the opera.
作者簡介
Antoine Pecqueur is a journalist for the French television channel Mezzo, and section chief for the online classical music periodical La Lettre du Musicien. He is also a contributing
journalist at Le Monde. He is the author of several books, including Les Ecrans sonores de Stanley Kubrick, published by Editions du Point d'exclamation. Guillaume de Laubier is a
photographer who specialises in interior design, decor and lifestyle. He spent sixteen years as a contributor to Elle Decoration, and has also contributed to numerous other publications
including Vogue and Maison Francaise. He has published several books, including The World's Most Beautiful Libraries and Dressing the Home: The Private Spaces of Top Fashion Designers. He is
cofounder of the hotel-services marketing and publicity agency Hotel en Vue.
