Opéra de Nice

After the fire that destroyed the Opera, a reconstruction of the building was undertaken in 1883 but it was considerably delayed by administrative difficulties, the positions of certain newspapers, and the pressures of public opinion, so that two years separated the application's decision. This construction brought many interests into play and sparked a battle for the choice of the neighborhood. This quarrel opposed the old city in decline and the new city in constant expansion. After hesitating between three location projects, one at the Square des Phocéens (Place Albert 1er), the other at the terraces (old town), it was the third which was adopted unanimously: the old theater burned, increased by properties belonging to Messrs. Lacan, Boréa and Borrelli. A national architectural competition was launched, the jury of which was chaired by Mr. Borriglione (Mayor of Nice, from January 1878 to May 1886). It was won by François Aune, official architect of the city, born in Nice and having studied in Turin. François Aune received the advice of the illustrious Charles Garnier, then inspector of civil buildings. Its final agreement was on June 27, 1884. By a deliberation of the Municipal Council of August 10, 1882, ratified by the Prefect the following September 8, the necessary credits were voted. They amount to the sum of one million five hundred thousand francs, a sum which was largely exceeded.