Central City in Gilpin County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Central City Opera

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 1, 2009

1. Central City Opera Marker

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Central City Opera. . The Central City Opera House was built in 1878 by Welsh and Cornish miners. This National Historic Landmark, centerpiece of the historic gold mining town of Central City, has hosted performances of the nation’s fifth-oldest opera company since 1932. Central City Opera’s National Summer Festival attracts patrons from all over the country and abroad to enjoy intimate opera in its 550 seat opera house., Her early glory years following the 1878 grand opening were short-lived. When the Central City mines were played out, the Opera House fell into disrepair. Fortunately, a volunteer-driven effort lead by Ida Kruse McFarlane, Edna Chappel and Anne Evens led to an extensive restoration of the Opera House in 1932. That summer, the legendary actress Lillian Gish opened the newly restored Opera House with Camille, launching an annual tradition of summer festivals in Central City that continues to this day. Today, the Central City Opera ranks as the nation’s fifth-oldest opera company., In addition to Lillian Gish, other stars of opera and stage have performed in the Central City Summer Festivals, including Beverly Sills, Jerome Hines, Helen Hays, Samual Ramey and Catherine Malfitano. Successful commissions by the company include the American classic The Ballad of Baby Doe by Douglas Moore, which premiered in 1956; the popular one-act opera The Face on the Ballroom Floor by Henry Mollicone, premiered in 1978; and the 2003 world premiere of Gabriel’s Daughter, also composed by Henry Mallicone., Directed by John Moriarty for many years, Central City’s prestigious Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Artists Training Program gained national recognition. Moriarty is now Central City’s Artistic Director Emeritus. As many a visitor has been blessed to witness since 1878, the glorious history of the Central City Opera House lives on with exciting new productions each summer. . This historical marker was erected by The Gold Belt Tour. It is in Central City in Gilpin County Colorado

The Central City Opera House was built in 1878 by Welsh and Cornish miners. This National Historic Landmark, centerpiece of the historic gold mining town of Central City, has hosted performances of the nation’s fifth-oldest opera company since 1932. Central City Opera’s National Summer Festival attracts patrons from all over the country and abroad to enjoy intimate opera in its 550 seat opera house.

Her early glory years following the 1878 grand opening were short-lived. When the Central City mines were played out, the Opera House fell into disrepair. Fortunately, a volunteer-driven effort lead by Ida Kruse McFarlane, Edna Chappel and Anne Evens led to an extensive restoration of the Opera House in 1932. That summer, the legendary actress Lillian Gish opened the newly restored Opera House with Camille, launching an annual tradition of summer festivals in Central City that continues to this day. Today, the Central City Opera ranks as the nation’s fifth-oldest opera company.

In addition to Lillian Gish, other stars of opera and stage have performed in the Central City Summer Festivals, including Beverly Sills, Jerome

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Hines, Helen Hays, Samual Ramey and Catherine Malfitano. Successful commissions by the company include the American classic The Ballad of Baby Doe by Douglas Moore, which premiered in 1956; the popular one-act opera The Face on the Ballroom Floor by Henry Mollicone, premiered in 1978; and the 2003 world premiere of Gabriel’s Daughter, also composed by Henry Mallicone.

Directed by John Moriarty for many years, Central City’s prestigious Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Artists Training Program gained national recognition. Moriarty is now Central City’s Artistic Director Emeritus. As many a visitor has been blessed to witness since 1878, the glorious history of the Central City Opera House lives on with exciting new productions each summer.

Erected by The Gold Belt Tour.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1878.

Location. 39° 47.971′ N, 105° 30.751′ W. Marker is in Central City, Colorado, in Gilpin County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street (State Highway 279) and Spring Street on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Central City CO 80427, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Central City (here, next to this marker); The AOUW Building (within shouting

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 1, 2009

2. Central City Opera Marker

The intersection of Main, Spring and Nevada Streets. The marker is located behind the spot signs.

distance of this marker); The Ignatz Meyer Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Rose Haydee Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Washington Hall (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Train Trestle (approx. 0.9 miles away); Bird’s-eye view of Black Hawk (approx. one mile away); Fick’s Carriage Shop (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Central City.

More about this marker. The Central City Opera marker is located under the Straight 5 Premium Cigars advertising painting on the side of the building at the intersection of Main, Spring, Nevada and Roworth Streets. The Opera House is located at 200 Eureka Street.

Also see . . . Central City Opera House - Wikipedia. (Submitted on January 21, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Central City Opera House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 1, 2009

3. Central City Opera House

The Opera House is located at 200 Eureka Street.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 1, 2009

4. Central City Opera House

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 829 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 21, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.