 The first company to be called Théâtre de la Renaissance opened its doors in 1838 under the sponsorship of Victor Hugo and Alexandre Dumas, père, who wanted to have a location for mounting their historical dramas.The Salle Ventadour (built in 1829 for the Opéra-Comique) was used.On 8 November 1838, Hugo's "Ruy Blas" starring Frédérick Lemaître had a triumphant premiere, and the French version of Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor" retitled and reworked as "Lucie de Lammermoor" was produced there in August 1839.