Paris Olympia

Paris Olympia is a music hall at 28, Blvd. des Capucines, in the 9th arrondissement Paris, France.

Related Topics:
Music hall - 9th arrondissement - Paris - France

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Founded in 1888 by Joseph Oller, the creator of the Moulin Rouge, the Olympia is the oldest music hall in Paris, today easily recognizable by its giant red glowing letters announcing its name. It opened in 1889 as the "Montagnes Russes" but was renamed the Olympia in 1893.

Related Topics:
1888 - Moulin Rouge - 1893

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Beyond musicians, the Olympia played host to a variety of entertainment including circuses, ballets, and operettas. However, following a steady decline in appearances by the great stars, from 1929 until 1954 it served as a movie theater until new owners (Bruno Coquatrix) revived it as a music hall. After forty more years, it was in danger of being torn down and turned into a parking lot but on January 7, 1993, France's then Minister of Culture, Jack Lang issued a preservation order for the Olympia that resulted in two years of construction work to rebuild a perfect replica of the façade and the grandeur of its famous red interior.

Related Topics:
Bruno Coquatrix - Jack Lang

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Edith Piaf achieved great fame at the Olympia. Just a few months before her death from cancer, she gave one of her most memorable concerts there while barely able to stand. Jeff Buckley, long an admirer of Piaf, gave what he considered the finest performance of his career there in 1995.

Related Topics:
Edith Piaf - Jeff Buckley

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Inaugurated by the biggest star in France at the time, singer/dancer La Goulue, the venue has showcased a wide variety of performers, from French acts like Yvonne Printemps and Johnny Hallyday, to international stars like Fairuz, Céline Dion, Umm Kulthum, The Beatles, and Luciano Pavarotti.

Related Topics:
La Goulue - Yvonne Printemps - Johnny Hallyday - Fairuz - Céline Dion - Umm Kulthum - The Beatles - Luciano Pavarotti

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