The name Théâtre de la Renaissance () has been used successively for three distinct Parisian theatre companies. The first two companies, which were short-lived enterprises in the 19th century, used the

Salle Ventadour The Salle Ventadour (), a former Parisian theatre in the rue Neuve-Ventadour, now the rue Méhul (2nd arrondissement of Paris), was built between 1826 and 1829 for the Opéra-Comique, to designs by Jacques-Marie Huvé, a prominent architect. The o ...

, now an office building on the Rue Méhul in the 2nd arrondissement. The current company was founded in 1873, and its much smaller theatre (pictured) was built that same year next to the

Porte Saint-Martin The Porte Saint-Martin (, ''St. Martin Gate'') is a Parisian monument located at the site of one of the gates of the now-destroyed fortifications of Paris. It is located at the crossing of the Rue Saint-Martin, the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Martin an ...

at 20 boulevard Saint-Martin, in the 10th arrondissement. Besides performances of musical theatre,

Feydeau Georges-Léon-Jules-Marie Feydeau (; 8 December 1862 – 5 June 1921) was a French playwright of the Belle Époque era, remembered for his farces, written between 1886 and 1914. Feydeau was born in Paris to middle-class parents and raised in a ...

's farces were first produced in this theatre, and plays by

Victorien Sardou Victorien Sardou ( , ; 5 September 1831 – 8 November 1908) was a French dramatist. He is best remembered today for his development, along with Eugène Scribe, of the well-made play. He also wrote several plays that were made into popular 19th-c ...

. Among the actors who triumphed there were

Sarah Bernhardt Sarah Bernhardt (; born Henriette-Rosine Bernard; 22 October 1844 – 26 March 1923) was a French stage actress who starred in some of the most popular French plays of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including by Alexandre Dumas fils, ...

Eleonora Duse Eleonora Giulia Amalia Duse ( , ; 3 October 185821 April 1924), often known simply as Duse, was an Italian actress, rated by many as the greatest of her time. She performed in many countries, notably in the plays of Gabriele D'Annunzio and Henr ...

, and

Raimu Jules Auguste Muraire (18 December 1883 – 20 September 1946), whose stage name was Raimu, was a French actor. He is most famous for playing César in the 'Marseilles trilogy' ('' Marius'', '' Fanny'' and '' César''). Life and career Born in T ...

, later

Agnès Jaoui Agnès Jaoui (; born 19 October 1964) is a French actress, screenwriter, film director and singer. Jaoui has won six César Awards, three Lumière Awards, and a Best Screenplay Award at the Cannes Film Festival. She has received numerous other ...

and

Jean-Pierre Bacri Jean-Pierre Bacri (24 May 1951 – 18 January 2021) was a French actor and screenwriter. He frequently worked in collaboration with Agnès Jaoui. Life and career One of Bacri's earliest film appearances was '' Subway''. He co-wrote with Jaou ...

1838–1841

The first company to be called Théâtre de la Renaissance opened its doors in 1838 under the sponsorship of

Victor Hugo Victor-Marie Hugo, vicomte Hugo (; 26 February 1802 – 22 May 1885) was a French Romanticism, Romantic author, poet, essayist, playwright, journalist, human rights activist and politician. His most famous works are the novels ''The Hunchbac ...

and

Alexandre Dumas, père Alexandre Dumas (born Alexandre Dumas Davy de la Pailleterie, 24 July 1802 – 5 December 1870), also known as Alexandre Dumas , was a French novelist and playwright. His works have been translated into many languages and he is one of the mos ...

, who wanted to have a location for mounting their historical dramas. The

(built in 1829 for the

Opéra-Comique The Opéra-Comique () is a Paris opera company which was founded around 1714 by some of the popular Théâtre de la foire, theatres of the Parisian fairs. In 1762 the company was merged with – and for a time took the name of – its chief riva ...

) was used. On 8 November 1838, Hugo's ''

Ruy Blas ''Ruy Blas'' () is a tragic drama by Victor Hugo. It was the first play presented at the Théâtre de la Renaissance and opened on November 8, 1838. Though considered by many to be Hugo’s best drama, the play was initially met with only ave ...

'' starring

Frédérick Lemaître Antoine Louis Prosper "Frédérick" Lemaître (; 28 July 1800 – 26 January 1876) was a French actor and playwright, one of the most famous players on the celebrated Boulevard du Crime. Biography Lemaître, the son of an architect, was ...

had a triumphant premiere, and the French version of

Donizetti Domenico Gaetano Maria Donizetti (29 November 1797 – 8 April 1848) was an Italian Romantic composer, best known for his almost 70 operas. Along with Gioachino Rossini and Vincenzo Bellini, he was a leading composer of the ''bel canto'' opera ...

's ''

Lucia di Lammermoor ''Lucia di Lammermoor'' () is a (tragic opera) in three acts by Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti. Salvadore Cammarano wrote the Italian-language libretto loosely based upon Sir Walter Scott's 1819 historical novel '' The Bride of Lammermoor''. ...

'' retitled and reworked as ''

Lucie de Lammermoor ''Lucia di Lammermoor'' () is a (tragic opera) in three acts by Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti. Salvadore Cammarano wrote the Italian-language libretto loosely based upon Sir Walter Scott's 1819 historical novel ''The Bride of Lammermoor''. ...

'' was produced there in August 1839. His ''

L'ange de Nisida ''L'Ange de Nisida'' (''The Angel of Nisida'') is an ''opera semiseria'' in four acts by Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti, from a French-language libretto by Alphonse Royer and Gustave Vaëz. Parts of the libretto are considered analogous wit ...

'', which was later reworked into ''

La favorite ''La favorite'' (''The Favourite'', frequently referred to by its Italian title: ''La favorita'') is a grand opera in four acts by Gaetano Donizetti to a French-language libretto by Alphonse Royer and Gustave Vaëz, based on the play ''Le com ...

'', was commissioned by the company, although never performed due to bankruptcy. In April 1839, ''L'Alchimiste'' and ''Paul Jones'' by

Alexandre Dumas Alexandre Dumas (born Alexandre Dumas Davy de la Pailleterie, 24 July 1802 – 5 December 1870), also known as Alexandre Dumas , was a French novelist and playwright. His works have been translated into many languages and he is one of the mos ...

(also with Frédérick Lemaître) were staged, but, due to theatrical intrigues, the theatre was forced to close in 1841.

The Carvalho company

In 1868

Carvalho Carvalho (), meaning 'oak', is a Portuguese surname. Origin: Celtic toponymic, from ''(s)kerb(h)''/''karb'' (hard, twisted). The surname is most common in Portugal, Brazil, Galicia (although in Galicia it may be spelled ' Carvallo' or ' Car ...

(director of the

Théâtre Lyrique The Théâtre Lyrique () was one of four opera companies performing in Paris during the middle of the 19th century (the other three being the Paris Opera, Opéra, the Opéra-Comique, and the Théâtre-Italien (1801–1878), Théâtre-Italien). ...

) obtained the rights to stage operatic works at the Ventadour, mainly more elaborate works in the Théâtre Lyrique's repertory, with

Adolphe Deloffre Louis Michel Adolphe Deloffre (28 July 1817 – 8 January 1876) was a French violinist and conductor active in London and Paris, who conducted several important operatic premieres in the latter city, particularly by Charles Gounod and Georges Bize ...

as chief conductor. The season opened with ''

Faust Faust ( , ) is the protagonist of a classic German folklore, German legend based on the historical Johann Georg Faust (). The erudite Faust is highly successful yet dissatisfied with his life, which leads him to make a deal with the Devil at a ...

'' and included other works by Gounod and Clapisson. The company was very short-lived, lasting from 16 March 1868 to 5 May 1868.Levin, Alicia C. "A documentary overview of musical theaters in Paris, 1830–1900", p. 395 in Fauser, Annegret, ed.; Everist, Mark, ed. (2009). ''Music, theater, and cultural transfer. Paris, 1830–1914''. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press. .

1873 to the present

The architect Charles de Lalande designed a new 'théâtre à l'italienne' on the site of the Deffieux restaurant. The inauguration took place on 8 March 1873 with ''La Femme de feu'' by Adolphe Belot. Hippolyte Hopstein directed the theatre until December 1875. ''

Thérèse Raquin ''Thérèse Raquin'' () is an early novel by French writer Émile Zola. It appeared in serial form from August–October 1867 in the magazine ''L'Artiste'', and was published in book form later that year. Although it was Zola's third novel, it ...

'' (after the novel by

Émile Zola Émile Édouard Charles Antoine Zola (, ; ; 2 April 184029 September 1902) was a French novelist, journalist, playwright, the best-known practitioner of the literary school of Naturalism (literature), naturalism, and an important contributor to ...

) was premiered in July 1873, ''

Giroflé-Girofla ''Giroflé-Girofla'' is an opéra bouffe in three acts with music by Charles Lecocq. The French libretto was by Albert Vanloo and Eugène Leterrier. The story, set in 13th century Spain, concerns twin brides, one of whom is abducted by pirates. ...

'' and ''

La petite mariée ''Le petite mariée'' (, ''The Little Bride'') is a three-act opéra-bouffe, with music by Charles Lecocq and libretto by Eugène Leterrier and Albert Vanloo. It was first performed at the Théâtre de la Renaissance, Paris on 21 December 1875 ...

'', opéras-bouffes by

Charles Lecocq Alexandre Charles Lecocq (; 3 June 183224 October 1918) was a French composer, known for his opérettes and opéra comique, opéras comiques. He became the most prominent successor to Jacques Offenbach in this sphere, and enjoyed considerable su ...

in 1874 and 1875.

Victor Koning Victor Koning (4 April 1842 – 1 October 1894) was a French playwright and librettist. Biography He authored theatre plays, mostly comedies and comédie en vaudeville and successful operettas libretti including ''La Fille de madame Angot' ...

succeeded Hopstein from December 1875 until 1882, and opéras-bouffes and opéras-comiques featured strongly : in 1877 ''La Marjolaine'' by Charles Lecocq, ''Le Tzigane'' by

Johann Strauss Johann Baptist Strauss II (; ; 25 October 1825 – 3 June 1899), also known as Johann Strauss Jr., the Younger or the Son (), was an Austrian composer of light music, particularly dance music and operettas as well as a violinist. He compose ...

, in 1878 ''

Le petit duc ''Le petit duc'' (, ''The little duke'') is an opéra comique in three acts by Charles Lecocq. The French libretto was by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy. Performance history The opera was first presented at the Théâtre de la Renaissance, P ...

'' by Lecocq, in 1879 ''La Petite Mademoiselle'' by Lecocq and in 1880 ''

Belle Lurette ''Belle Lurette'' is a three-act opéra comique with music by Jacques Offenbach and words by Ernest Blum, Edouard Blau and Raoul Toché. It was first performed at the Théâtre de la Renaissance, Paris, on 30 October 1880. The composer died befor ...

'' by

Jacques Offenbach Jacques Offenbach (; 20 June 18195 October 1880) was a German-born French composer, cellist and impresario. He is remembered for his nearly 100 operettas of the 1850s to the 1870s, and his uncompleted opera ''The Tales of Hoffmann''. He was a p ...

. From 1882 to 1893 the theatre lacked direction although the period saw the creation of ''Fanfreluche'', an opéra-comique by Gaston Serpette in 1883, ''La Parisienne'' and ''La Navette'' by Henry Becque in 1885, ''Tailleur pour dames'' by

in 1886, '' Isoline'' by

André Messager André Charles Prosper Messager (; 30 December 1853 – 24 February 1929) was a French composer, organist, pianist and conductor. His compositions include eight ballets and thirty , opérettes and other stage works, among which his ballet (1 ...

in 1888, and '' Madame Chrysanthème'' also by Messager in 1893.

took over the direction from 1893 to 1899, during which time ''

Gismonda ''Gismonda'' is a Greek-set melodrama in four acts by Victorien Sardou that premiered on October 31, 1894 at the Théâtre de la Renaissance. In 1918, the play was adapted for the now lost film ''Love's Conquest.'' In 1918/1919, it was adapte ...

'' by

in 1894, ''

La Princesse Lointaine Edmond Eugène Alexis Rostand (, , ; 1 April 1868 – 2 December 1918) was a French poet and dramatist. He is associated with neo-romanticism and is known best for his 1897 play ''Cyrano de Bergerac''. Rostand's romantic plays contrasted with th ...

'' by

Edmond Rostand Edmond Eugène Alexis Rostand (, , ; 1 April 1868 – 2 December 1918) was a French poet and dramatist. He is associated with neo-romanticism and is known best for his 1897 play ''Cyrano de Bergerac''. Rostand's romantic plays contrasted with th ...

in 1895, ''

Les Amants ''The Lovers'' () is a 1958 French drama film directed by Louis Malle which stars Jeanne Moreau, Alain Cuny, and Jean-Marc Bory. Based on the posthumously-published 1876 short story "Point de Lendemain" ("No Tomorrow") by Dominique Vivant (1747– ...

'' by

Maurice Donnay Charles Maurice Donnay (12 October 1859 – 31 March 1945) was a French people, French dramatist. Biography Donnay was born of middle-class parents in Paris in 1859. His father was a railway engineer and initially Donnay followed a similar ...

and '' La Figurante'' by François Curel in 1896, ''

La Ville morte ''La Ville morte'' is an opera by Nadia Boulanger and Raoul Pugno to the text of Gabriele D'Annunzio's play . It has been called Boulanger's "most significant achievement as a creative artist". History After hearing her examinations at the Cons ...

'' by Gabriele d'Annunzio, '' L'Affranchie'' by Maurice Donnay, ''Le Radeau de la Méduse'' by

Romain Coolus René Max Weill (25 May 1868 – 9 September 1952), who used the pseudonym Romain Coolus, was a French novelist, dramatist and film scriptwriter. Biography Works Theater * 1893 : ''Le Ménage Brésile'' (first play), one-act comedy, at ...

in 1898, were all premiered. On 3 December 1896, Bernhardt created herself ''

Lorenzaccio ''Lorenzaccio'' is a French Play (theatre), play of the Romantic period written by Alfred de Musset in 1834, set in 16th-century Florence, and depicting Lorenzino de' Medici, who killed Florence's tyrant, Alessandro de' Medici, Duke of Florence, ...

'' by

Musset Alfred Louis Charles de Musset-Pathay (; 11 December 1810 – 2 May 1857) was a French dramatist, poet, and novelist.His names are often reversed "Louis Charles Alfred de Musset": see "(Louis Charles) Alfred de Musset" (bio), Biography.com, 2007 ...

and the following year ''

La Samaritaine La Samaritaine (French pronunciation: a samaʁitɛn is a large department store in the first arrondissement of Paris; the nearest metro station is Pont-Neuf. Founded in 1870 by Ernest Cognacq, it is now owned by the luxury goods conglomerate ...

'' by

. The Milliaud brothers ran the theatre from 1899, followed by Firmin Gémier in 1901, until the arrival of

Lucien Guitry Lucien Germain Guitry (13 December 1860 – 1 June 1925) was a French actor. Life In 1885, while living in Saint Petersburg, Guitry appeared at the French (or Mikhaylovsky) Theatre. His son, the future actor, writer and director Sacha Guit ...

from October 1902 until 1909. The actor Albert Tarride then directed the théâtre, then Cora Laparcerie took over in 1913, with Marcel Paston from 1928 to 1933. In 1942, while the theatre was threatened with destruction, Henri Varna acquired the building and

Jean Darcante Jean Darcante, real name Jean-Louis Albassier, (1 April 1910 – 18 March 1990) was a French actor and theatre director. He was managing director of the théâtre de la Renaissance in Paris from 1946 to 1957.Véra Korène of the

Comédie-Française The Comédie-Française () or Théâtre-Français () is one of the few state theatres in France. Founded in 1680, it is the oldest active theatre company in the world. Established as a French state-controlled entity in 1995, it is the only state ...

became director of a theatre restored in the style of the Second Empire. 23 September 1959 saw the creation of ''Les Séquestrés d'Altona'' by

Jean-Paul Sartre Jean-Paul Charles Aymard Sartre (, ; ; 21 June 1905 – 15 April 1980) was a French philosopher, playwright, novelist, screenwriter, political activist, biographer, and literary criticism, literary critic, considered a leading figure in 20th ...

with

Serge Reggiani Serge Reggiani (born Sergio Reggiani; 2 May 1922 – 23 July 2004) was an Italian-French actor and singer. He was born in Reggio Emilia, Italy, and moved to France with his parents at the age of eight. After studying acting at the Conservato ...

. 1960 saw ''L'Etouffe-Chrétien'' by

Félicien Marceau Félicien Marceau (16 September 1913 – 7 March 2012) was a French novelist, playwright and essayist originally from Belgium. His real name was Louis Carette. He was close to the Hussards right-wing literary movement, which in turn was close t ...

with

Arletty Léonie Marie Julie Bathiat (15 May 1898 – 23 July 1992), known professionally as Arletty, was a French actress, singer, and fashion model. As an actress she is particularly known for classics directed by Marcel Carné, including '' Hotel du ...

, with ''Louisiane'' by

Marcel Aymé Marcel Aymé (; 29 March 1902 – 14 October 1967) was a French novelist and playwright, who also wrote screenplays and works for children. Biography Marcel André Aymé was born in Joigny, in the Burgundy region of France, the youngest ...

in 1961, '' Qui a peur de Virginia Woolf ?'' in 1962 and ''Douce-Amère'', first play by

Jean Poiret Jean Poiret, born Jean Poiré (17 August 1926 – 14 March 1992), was a French actor, director, and screenwriter. He is primarily known as the author of the original play ''La Cage aux Folles (play), La Cage aux Folles''. Early career Poire ...

in 1970. In 1978 there was a season of

opérettes This is a glossary list of opera genres, giving alternative names. "Opera" is an Italian word (short for "opera in musica"); it was not at first ''commonly'' used in Italy (or in other countries) to refer to the genre of particular works. Most co ...

, and from 1981 to 1988 Michèle Lavalard led the théâtre succeeded by Niels Arestrup. In 1990 ''La Cuisse du Steward'' by Jean-Michel Ribes was premiered, and in 1994 ''Un Air de Famille'' by

and

. Under Christian Spillemaecker and Bruno Moynot, the theatre staged comic plays and shows with success. The current capacity is 650 seats.

References

External links

Site du Théâtre de la Renaissance

{{DEFAULTSORT:Theatre De La Renaissance 1838 establishments in France 1841 disestablishments in France 1868 establishments in France 1868 disestablishments in France 1873 establishments in France Theatres completed in 1838 Theatres completed in 1868 Theatres completed in 1873

Renaissance The Renaissance ( , ) is a Periodization, period of history and a European cultural movement covering the 15th and 16th centuries. It marked the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity and was characterized by an effort to revive and sur ...

Theatres in the 10th arrondissement of Paris Victor Hugo Alexandre Dumas