Central Business District in New Orleans in Orleans Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
Site of the St. Charles Theaters
1835-1967
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, December 26, 2011
1. Site of the St. Charles Theaters Marker
Inscription.
Site of the St. Charles Theaters. The first St. Charles Theater, built by James Caldwell with Antonio Mondelli as architect, opened on this site November 30, 1835. It seated over 4,000 and was one of the largest theaters in the world. The American premieres of Bellini’s Norma took place here in 1836 and Rossini's Semiramide in 1837. It burned March 13, 1842., The second St. Charles opened January 18, 1843 and seated over 1,500. Some of the greatest actors of the 19th century played here; Joe Jefferson, Edwin Booth and Charles Keane. Great musicians who appeared here included Ole Bull, Henri Vieuxtemps, Jenny Lind, Henrietta Sontag and Adelina Patti. This burned June 4, 1899., The third St. Charles opened in 1902 and was part of the Orpheum Vaudeville Circuit. Sarah Bernhardt make her final local appearance here and Rosa Ponselle her first. It was demolished in 1967.
The first St. Charles Theater, built by James Caldwell with Antonio Mondelli as architect, opened on this site November 30, 1835. It seated over 4,000 and was one of the largest theaters in the world. The American premieres of Bellini’s Norma took place here in 1836 and Rossini's Semiramide in 1837. It burned March 13, 1842.
The second St. Charles opened January 18, 1843 and seated over 1,500. Some of the greatest actors of the 19th century played here; Joe Jefferson, Edwin Booth and Charles Keane. Great musicians who appeared here included Ole Bull, Henri Vieuxtemps, Jenny Lind, Henrietta Sontag and Adelina Patti. This burned June 4, 1899.
The third St. Charles opened in 1902 and was part of the Orpheum Vaudeville Circuit. Sarah Bernhardt make her final local appearance here and Rosa Ponselle her first. It was demolished in 1967.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical date for this entry is January 18, 1992.
Location. 29° 56.995′ N, 90° 4.218′ W. Marker is in New Orleans, Louisiana, in Orleans Parish. It is in the Central Business District. Marker is at the intersection of Saint Charles Avenue and Poydras Street on Saint Charles Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 490 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans LA 70130, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, December 26, 2011
2. Site of the St. Charles Theaters Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 13, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 856 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on January 13, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
