1770 - XVIIIth century 1770 : The inauguration of the Royal
Opera The multiplication of festivities at Versailles showed the
great necessity of having a proper theatre designed for these
events. The Hall of Mirrors was fine for balls, but was not
suited for the theatrical performances which had to be given in
ephemeral theatres in the palace. At the end of the North Wing,
Louis XIV had already thought of building an opera house, but
the kingdom’s finances did not allow the realisation of this
project. It was Louis XV who decided to entrust to the architect
Ange-Jacques Gabriel the construction of a modern Royal Opera
house for the forthcoming wedding of his grandson and an
Archduchess of Austria. The work began in 1668 and was completed
and inaugurated for the wedding of the Dauphin and Marie-
Antoinette on 16 May 1770. The royal Opera served as the setting
for numerous festivities including costumed balls. For these,
the auditorium was transformed and the stage covered by a
sumptuous illusionistic painting as