Belleville in Hastings County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Griffin Opera House
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 30, 2024
1. Griffin Opera House Marker
Bellevilles splendid opera house, the Griffin, originally the Belleville Opera House and subsequently the Carman Opera House, opened at this location on January 24, 1884. The imposing red brick exterior was highlighted with stone arch details and tall narrow windows. The sumptuous interior featured frescoed walls, painted woodwork, lavish sets and draperies, private boxes and galleries. Capacity crowds of 1300 enjoyed melodramas and minstrel shows. Belleville was a major opera destination on the Toronto-Montreal circuit. The advent of talking pictures and purpose-built cinemas heralded the end; the Griffin Opera House was demolished in 1933.
Erected 2017 by Hastings County Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical date for this entry is January 24, 1884.
Location. 44° 9.85′ N, 77° 22.879′ W. Marker is in Belleville, Ontario, in Hastings County. It is at the intersection of Bridge Street East and Church Street, on the right when traveling east on Bridge Street East. The marker is located directly in front of the building at
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Ontario and specifically in Southeastern Ontario. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Formation of the Methodist Church (Canada, Newfoundland, Bermuda) 1884 (within shouting distance of this marker); George Zegouras Market Square (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); James Bertram Collip 1892-1965 (about 180 meters away); Market Square (about 210 meters away); Belleville City Hall / L'Hτtel de ville de Belleville (about 240 meters away); Pinnacle Playhouse (about 240 meters away); O'Hare-Chant House (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Belleville Collegiate Institute & Vocational School
2. Marker detail: Griffin Opera House Stage
Also see . . . A Night at the Opera.
(by Connie Carson) Excerpt: The Griffin Opera House, also known as the Belleville Opera House, the Carman Opera House, and Queens Opera Palace, became a shining beacon of light for Mr. John Griffin who went on to form the Griffin Amusement Company in 1906 and continued to dominate the music and theatre scene until 1922.(Submitted on December 6, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)The 1,300 seat theatre was said to have been built on an incline to give the auditorium and galleries unobstructed views for everyone. There was a 37 by 50 ft stage plus a lower-level basement featuring a large hall, dressing rooms, and storage for stage props.
The costumes were dramatic and lavish, bright and gaudy as were the five-act plays that were performed nightly, and local lovers of music and musical drama came in droves to this garishly lit brick building overlooking the Belleville Armouries. They laughed along with traveling Minstrels on circuits through the area and cried while watching the melodramas such as Uncle Toms Cabin and Perils of Pauline on the silent screen.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 30, 2024
3. Griffin Opera House Marker
Looking south from Bridge Street East. The marker is located in front of the building at this location today.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 245 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 6, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
