Fancy opera houses like the Palais Garnier were designed for more than just watching a performance. The open balconies and winding staircases were meant to encourage people-watching, especially among the upper class. Commissioned by Napoleon III as part of his grand, transformative renovation of Paris, the Palais Garnier first opened on this day in 1875. Immediately upon opening its doors, it became the place to see and be seen—and to be surrounded by opulence. The domed ceiling shown here was painted by Marc Chagall in 1964, covering the original ceiling paintings by artist Jules Lenepveu. Chagall’s colorful, dreamlike work stretches nearly 2,600 square feet and depicts scenes from operas by 14 different composers, including Beethoven and Debussy.
Art abounds at the Palais Garnier
Today in History
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Waitangi Day in New Zealand
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Snow buntings take flight
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What s better than a smile?
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A ‘circus of chaos’ for Stravinsky
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Solar Impulse 2 in Honolulu
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Salmon return to the Copper River
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Seceda, Dolomites, South Tyrol, Italy
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The mighty, mighty mushroom
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Ready for takeoff
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Monarch butterflies in Angangueo, Mexico
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Seville, Spain
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Daintree Rainforest and Noah Beach, Queensland, Australia
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FOR FOREST by Klaus Littmann
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Celebrating World Art Day
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International Roller Coaster Day
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Guild houses of Grand-Place, Brussels, Belgium
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Tegallalang terrace farms in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
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A hit ballet, long after its debut
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Protecting wildlife today and tomorrow
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Hawaii Volcanoes National Park turns 103
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Ice and Snow Sailing World Championships
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Sibiu Christmas market, Romania
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Waimea Canyon and Waipoo Falls, Kauai, Hawaii
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Hay, what s up?
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Regional Park of Migliarino, San Rossore, Massaciuccoli, Italy
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New Year s Day
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Penguin Awareness Day
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SantaPark, Lapland, Finland
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Carnival comes to Olinda
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Maritime forest in Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

