Triangle d'Or and Theatre des Champs-Elysees

From Paris Hotels Reviews

Triangle d'Or and Theatre des Champs-Elysees

The area bounded by the Champs-Elysees and, to the south, avenue Montaigne and rue Francois 1er is nicknamed the Triangle d'Or (Golden Triangle) on account of its exclusive character: this is the domain of flagship designer stores, including Dior, Prada, Chanel and Givenchy, as well as luxury hotels, such as the Plaza Athénee and George V.

Right at the bottom of avenue Montaigne is the Theatre des Champs-Elysees, one of the city's premier concert halls. Erected in 1913, it was among the first buildings in Paris to be made of reinforced concrete, its exterior softened with marble reliefs by the sculptor Bourdelle, who studied under Rodin. The architect, Auguste Perret, went on to rebuild much of Le Havre in the aftermath of World War II. The theatre has seen a number of notable premieres and debuts, including that of Josephine Baker in 1925, who created a sensation with her sensual, abandoned dancing. It's perhaps best known, though, for being the scene of great uproar on May 29, 1913, on the occasion of the world premiere of Stranvinsky's Rite of Spring. The music's unprecedented rhythmic and harmonic ferocity provoked violent reactions among the audience. The whole performance was performance was punctuated with catcalls so loud the dancers could barely hear the orchestra, objects were thrown at the conductor and fist fights broke out in the stalls.