The Diacosmie
The Diacosmie, from the Greek "diakosmos" meaning "scenery", was inaugurated on 18 June 1987.
As the production centre of the Nice Opera, the Diacosmie brings together the study, construction, creation, storage and rehearsal functions necessary for the daily life of a great modern theatre, all under one building.
Centre de production de l'Opéra de Nice, la Diacosmie regroupe dans un même bâtiment les fonctions d'étude, de construction, de création, de stockage et de répétition nécessaires à la vie d'un grand théâtre d’aujourd’hui.
CREATIONS AND STOREROOMS
Scenery
Two workshops of 40m x 40m make it possible to move from the planning to the creation of sets for operatic and choreographic works, under the best conditions. Located one above the other, these sets are equipped with high-performance machines, very modern tools and an automatic sawdust- and chip-suction device.
On each level, ancillary workshops are connected to these sets: on the ground floor, heavy carpentry and ironwork, on the upper level, light carpentry, sculpture, upholstery and the painting laboratory known as "the Sorbonne".
On the ground floor, the manufacturing workshop has a ceiling height of 7.50 m, making it possible to assemble wooden frames upon iron structures, while the painting workshop – with the same surface area and a height of 5 metres – is used to paint large backdrops.
The wooden floors make it easier to fix the canvases to the floor. Walkways cross the workshops and offer an overview of the work in progress. The two levels are connected by a volute staircase. The view is completely unobstructed, with no support columns. Finally, the glass facade provides natural lighting.
Costumes
The Diacosmie is also home to two manufacturing workshops of 130 m² each, where the fantastic pieces that will later delight audiences come to life for each show.
The first space, located by the rehearsal stages, is intended for cutting and measuring costumes, as well as any transformations required for the reuse of old productions.
The second space, on the upper floor, facilitates the production of new costumes. Here, a host of machines get to work stitching, sewing, hemming and buttoning. There is where a milliner works, making headdresses, hats or tiaras with feathers and strong cloth. The trimmings are kept in large, specially fitted drawers. Further up, after pushing through various doors, the props workshop, a laundry room, a wig workshop and its storeroom complete the complex.
Storage
A walkway, 80 m long, 5 m wide and 15 m high, crosses the building from side to side, thus serving the construction workshops, the rehearsal stages and the storage areas distributed into 16 cells (800 m2) along the side of this lane.
Meanwhile, a 1,600 m2 storeroom – waterproofed and pressurised to avoid dust – is equipped to hold 10,000 costumes.
Finally, prop stores, with a total surface area of 300 m2, are equipped with shelves and boxes, organising weapons, trinkets, dishes, furniture and all the objects necessary for the show's creation and performance.
Rehearsal Spaces
As the opera-house theatre was created to welcome the public, spaces for rehearsals were therefore required – freeing up the opera house stage for performances.
The stages
Two sets allow artists to work in real settings and conditions as close as possible to the real thing. The acoustics and architecture of the large room allow for recordings to be made if necessary.
The choir room
The choirs rehearse in a studio of 270 m2 specially reserved for this purpose.
The orchestra rehearsal room
In the Orchestra study room (410 m2 and 200 seats), additional stands are provided to accommodate choirs during joint rehearsals. This room also benefits from variable acoustics, making it possible to harmonise the musical work with its place of performance.
On the other hand, studios of various sizes, all equipped with pianos, are available to artists working individually or in small groups, while the room reserved for the chamber orchestra (40 m2) can accommodate about 15 musicians.
The Corps de Ballet studio
The dance studio (330 m2) is equipped with mirror walls, barres and a floating floor.
Guided tours
The City of Nice's Heritage Centre organises guided tours of the Nice Opera's production centre.
Two visits per month are planned to discover the PASSIONATE WORLD OF DIACOSMY!
Visits for individuals: two Wednesdays a month at 10am from 5 April 2023. No visits in July and August.
This visit allows you to discover the diversity of the Opera's professions and to feel the creative atmosphere that reigns there.
For groups of 15 people maximum. Duration: approximately 2 hours.
Visits are by reservation only:
Centre du Patrimoine - Le Sénat, 14 Jules-Gilly - Vieux Nice
Monday from 2pm to 5:30pm and Tuesday to Friday from 9am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5pm
Tel: 04 92 00 41 90
Internet : vah.nice.fr
For school groups and others on reservation by mail with the services Opera or La Diacosmie