The first part can be read here: Part # 1
Part No. 2
Yes, this terrible tragedy has shaken all inhabitants and guests of the city. The fire was a terrible destructive force. Contemporaries in tears told how fallen columns and rolled out with terrifying speed towards the sea, trying to catch up with the townspeople. Despite the fact that the fire was fearful of casualties among the people was not.
2 days later the ashes came the Commission of the city Council. They inspected the scene of the fire and stated that the structure cannot be restored. It was a mourning. The next year everyone in the city tried to contribute. The city Council, for its part, organized a competition on the best project of the building. There were more than 40 different projects. But the city Council was not able to satisfy not one of them. In the city aware that we need such a project that can overshadow all the theatres of the world.
In 1875 a proposal was made to refer to the real professionals, representatives of the Viennese architectural community: the Fellner and Hellner (Helmer). They were asked to create their own project. The fact that these experts have created the projects for most theatres of Austria-Hungary. Although, up to now "survived" only 48 theatre buildings in different cities. Currently in Ukraine there are 2 theater, built according to their projects In Odessa and Chernivtsi.
The guys worked for a long time. The project they proposed only to 1882 it was based on an idea implemented in the creation of the building of the Dresden Opera, which was built 4 years earlier. The peculiarity lies in the fact that the lobby was somewhat unusual shape. It had a curved form and accurately follow the contours of the auditorium. The project was approved.
After 2 years, September 16, occurred the laying of the Foundation. Here and show some aspects. In particular, it was found that a project has many flaws. But the architects did not want to come to the site and refused to "fit" your project. This led to the fact that the responsibility fell on local artists: gonsiorovsky, Bernardazzi and Dimitrenko. They were able to make the necessary adjustments in the course of construction works. It is important to note that the building was constructed of material (white limestone) produced in the Odessa Catacombs.
That's the day of completion of the work, which was performed strictly within the contract time. The last stone was laid on 1 October 1987. This stone was laid at 14-00 local time, on the top floor of the main staircase, located on the sea side. It was a landmark event that put an end to gossip and gossip.
After that. was made a real ritual. The mayor signed the act, posters and a program from the first day. These documents were placed in a specially made box and embedded in the wall. The place chosen separately. It was decided to make the tab under the mirror, which is located at the Western portico. After that, the architect Fellner (specially arrived from Vienna), in a solemn ceremony, presented the mayor Grigory Marazli, symbolic gold key to the theater. He went in a separate box and joined the first. This key has become a symbol of the theater and still stay in the same place where it was bricked up by the builders.
The first work which has sounded under the arches of the "newborn" building was solemn cantata. This piece of music was performed by the orchestra, under local composer Gr. Lishin. The solemn meeting was followed by a dramatic young troupe, the fully updated theatre Cherepennikov. Young talents suggested audience a scene from "Boris Godunov". It was very symbolic, as the great poet almost idolized Odessa theatre. Completed the festive day show the 3rd act of the Comedy "Woe from wit" Griboyedov.
It is important to note that the new building of the Opera house went down in history not only as a Grand structure, but also due to the fact that it lit the first light bulb in Odessa! Especially for theater lighting to Odessa there arrived experts who built the first in the province power plant alternating current. The launch of the stations made on the opening day of the theater.
Yes, it is sad to realize, but such a big building was not without its intrigues, scandals, speculations and rumors. First and foremost, pretty much of the talk revolved around the economy of construction. This project spent a record Empire and a half million rubles. Many citizens and prominent figures have reacted coolly to the idea. They believed that the money could be useful to the young city in other industries. Yes, in those days problems enough. But these rumors and discontent did not stop the true connoisseurs of art and those who truly loved about Odessa. The theater was built. He became one of the most beautiful not only on the territory of the Russian Empire, but throughout Europe. Unfortunately now I can not stop on interior and exterior decoration.
To be continued...