Strasbourg Opera House

You’re now looking at the Strasbourg Opera House. It’s one of the three artistic departments of the Opéra national du Rhin, an opera company jointly run by the cities of Strasbourg, Mulhouse and Colmar. If you’re a fan of the opera, you’ll be pleased to know that the building before you boasts an excellent stage, thanks to the contributions of the three aforementioned cities.The Strasbourg Opera House sports the classical style of French theaters, minimalist and not exaggerated, yet adorned with a beautiful peristyle of columns crowned by 6 muses. Its construction was completed in 1821. Prior to this, French performances were held in a former granary and German ones in the local draper’s shop. Today, the Opéra du Rhin and thus the Strasbourg Opera House is one of the leading institutions in the French and international lyrical world, having even been awarded the title of “National Opera House” by the French Ministry of Culture in 1996. But did you know that in the early 1900s, a controversial statue was unveiled in front of the Opera House? It’s the work of one of the greatest German sculptors of the time; and yet, his brainchild, the Vater Rhein, that is, Father Rhine, stands completely naked in a scandalous pose, with his backside exposed to anyone exiting the opera. Apparently, the statue was meant to be placed in a leafy park, not in front of an opera house, but, well, it is what it is. Be that as it may, the decent folk took offence, and after the armistice, they used the fact that the statue was German as an excuse to return it. Buh-bye! Today, it’s a commemorative monument in honor of General Leclerc, the liberator of Strasbourg, that you can see on the square. The bronze statue shows the general’s unfailing determination. He is surrounded by two winged victories, symbolic figures representing triumph and victory. Also engraved in the stone is his famous oath of Koufra, pronounced in 1941 when General Leclerc pledged not to give up the fight until the French flag flew atop Strasbourg’s Notre-Dame cathedral. That mission has now been accomplished, and it’s mainly thanks to him.