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restoration was excavating the area around the theatre, which occurred in the 1930s. This excavation and leveling of surrounding buildings uncovered many historical objects and artifacts that furthered knowledge of the history and uses of the structure. Today, all three levels of seating have been completely restored, along with many staircases, major parts of the pavement, the stage, the orchestra, and parts of walls.
308:: "the Julian colony of Arausio established by the soldiers of the second legion") which was founded in 40 BC. Playing a major role in the life of the citizens, who spent a large part of their free time there, the theatre was seen by the Roman authorities not only as a means of spreading Roman culture to the colonies, but also as a way of distracting them from all political activities.
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The stage, which is 61 meters (200 ft) long and raised about one meter from the ground, is backed by a 37-meter-high (121 ft) wall whose height has been preserved completely. This wall is vital to the theatre, as it helped to project sound to the large audience. The wall, also known as the
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By the end of the century, the tiered seats were restored, a reflection of the bureaucratic process. In 1902 the festival was given a new name, the "Chorégies," planned as an annual summer festival. The name comes from the tax that was imposed on wealthy Romans to pay for theatrical productions.
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Reconstruction began in 1825 with the intent of returning the theatre to its original purpose: to host large, exciting performances. In 1869, while still in the process of being restored, the theatre hosted “The Roman
Festivals,” which brought over 10,000 guests. A very important part of the
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The Théâtre d'Orange is considered the best preserved Roman theatre in all of Europe. It is managed by
Culturespaces, an organization that also manages other related cultural sites in the area, such as the Orange Museum and the
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Until 1969 the Chorégies consisted of plays, alternating with musical works, opera and symphonies. However, after that date, Orange became solely an opera festival and theatrical works were performed at
Avignon.
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had become the official religion, the theatre was closed by official edict in AD 391, since the Church opposed what it regarded at the time as uncivilized spectacles. It was probably pillaged by the
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During the rest of the year, the Théâtre d'Orange is a major tourist attraction. Tourists can walk through the main theatre and surrounding rooms and corridors while being led by an audio guide.
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The first major festival held in the theatre in 1869 after the restoration began was called “The Roman
Festival”. This festival developed into an annual festival called the
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had a stone theatre built in his home city of Rome, and thereafter grand (and permanent) Roman theatres spread widely. The Orange theatre was created under the rule of
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in 412, and like most Roman buildings was certainly stripped of its better stone over the centuries for reuse. It was used as a defensive post in the early
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During the 19th century the theatre slowly began to recover its original splendour, due to the efforts of
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Early Roman theatre were mostly constructed from wood and meant to be temporary structures. In 55 BC
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It is one of the best preserved of all Roman theatres, and served the Roman colony of
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The Orange theatre is one of few Roman theatres which still retains the
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It has been restored to its former function, primarily for
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Buildings and structures completed in the 1st century
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Seating and stage, with roof under restoration, 2005
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140:116 ha (290 acres)
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109:Inscription
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981:Strasbourg
746:2015-11-06
700:11 October
675:2015-11-11
640:2015-11-11
610:References
441:'s opera,
176:44°8′8.6″N
121:Extensions
112:1981 (5th
103:163bis-001
1251:and with
1122:Avignon:
732:(english)
721:(english)
473:Chorégies
403:Visigoths
317:machinery
99:Reference
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1341:Slovakia
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1249:region/s
1184:between
989:Neustadt
913:and its
906:Le Havre
880:terroirs
593:See also
481:In 1981
383:centaurs
359:Augustus
90:Criteria
81:and the
64:Vaucluse
55:Location
1357:Ukraine
1337:Romania
1321:Germany
1313:Croatia
1301:Belgium
1297:Austria
1293:Albania
1287:Belgium
1269:Germany
1265:Austria
1253:Belgium
886:Reims:
876:Climats
823:Provins
493:Gallery
302:Arausio
158:/orange
145:Website
114:Session
74:Part of
1333:Poland
1138:Orange
808:Palace
523:frieze
483:UNESCO
444:Joseph
379:Apollo
375:niches
363:facade
355:Pompey
328:UNESCO
283:France
68:France
60:Orange
1349:Spain
1325:Italy
1273:Italy
1259:Spain
971:Nancy
818:Seine
439:Méhul
389:Decay
324:opera
291:opera
1355:and
1279:and
1188:and
1078:Lyon
1004:West
964:and
953:East
878:and
812:Park
810:and
702:2021
565:The
269:The
154:.com
129:Area
124:2007
915:Bay
277:in
156:/en
150:www
1374::
1351:,
1347:,
1343:,
1339:,
1335:,
1331:,
1327:,
1323:,
1319:,
1315:,
1311:,
1307:,
1303:,
1299:,
1295:,
1275:,
1271:,
1267:,
1144:,
1140::
1116:,
1112:,
1108::
987:,
983::
973::
894:,
890:,
739:.
692:.
668:.
649:^
633:.
618:^
489:.
297:.
281:,
66:,
62:,
778:e
771:t
764:v
749:.
704:.
678:.
643:.
116:)
20:)
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