Central City Opera House | Multi-use indoor theatre in Central City, CO

The Central City Opera in Colorado was started by Welsh and Cornish miners. It was built to answer the towns need of a grand opera fitting for the town’s reputation of being “the richest square mile on earth.”

Multi-use indoor theatre in Central City

The Central City Opera that sits in the National Historic Landmark District in Central City has a rich history that dates back as far as 1878.

During that time, the community was comprised of many Welsh and Cornish miners, who brought deep music traditions from their country. The locals organized a fundraising to build an opera house and sought the help of Denver architect Robert S. Roeschlaub and San Francisco artist John C. Massman.

It opened in 1878 and one of its most notable guests was P.T. Barnum’s circus. However, its glory years soon began to falter.

In 1932, a large-scale restoration of the opera house began with volunteer-driven efforts led by Edna Chappell, Anne Evans, and Ida Kruse McFarlane. Actress Lillian Gish started an annual tradition of summer festivals in Central City that still goes on today.

Then after, times were bleak again after the 1950’s until it was completely revamped in the 1980’s and the 1990’s. Because of its rich and sustained history, the Central City Opera was labelled a National Historic Landmark in 1973.

Shows at Central City Opera

Throughout the years, the opera house hosts education, guild, and other events in Colorado and Wyoming. During summer festivals, various performances are presented on its stage.

The Central City Opera is also home to the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Artists Training Program which helps aspiring young opera singers reach their dreams.