Originally used only for royal ceremonies and extraordinary performances,[REF] this pinnacle of the Gabriel family's work began to be used less and less because of the immense cost to stage productions there.
In 1872, during the Commune de Paris, the Opéra was converted by Edmond de Joly for use by the Assemblée nationale, who used the Opéra until 1876; between 1876 and 1879, the Sénat convened here [REF].