©Comédie-Française 2005
 
 
             

The Battle
of Hernani		   ROMANTIC BATTLES

Under the leadership of Baron Taylor, who was also Government Commissioner, a new genre was imposed on the repertoire by Alexandre Dumas, Alfred de Vigny and Victor Hugo : Romantic drama. This reached its climax with the battle of Hernani, on 25 February 1830, while acting, staging and set design kept evolving. Mademoiselle Mars was the undisputed star of the company.

  
 
Towards the mid-19th century, classical tragedy was back in fashion, brilliantly defended by an exceptional tragedienne, Rachel, whose passionate and hugely successful life ended abruptly at 38. 		 

Rachel 


Les Caprices
de Marianne  		 
In 1849, Prince-President Louis-Napoléon ended a long period of administrative and financial wavering by creating the position of Managing Director (Administrateur général) reporting directly to the Home Secretary. Theatrical censorship was restored in 1850. Thanks to the first two Managing Directors, Arsène Houssaye (1850-56) and Baron Empis (1856-59), the Comédie-Française became the Emperor's standard company. 		 
 

Foundation • Theatremania • Revolution • Romanticism
Administrators • Stage Direction • "Cartel"
Repertoire • Challenges