Built in 1878 at an elevation of 8,500 feet by Welsh and Cornish miners chasing Colorado gold, the Central City Opera House has a rich performance history. Over its long life the stage has welcomed notable acts such as Buffalo Bill Cody, the P.T. Barnum Circus, Lillian Gish and Beverly Sills. World-renowned baritone Samuel Ramey launched his career there in 1963, and Mae West’s 1949 engagement is remembered for her demand that two white Cadillac limousines be on call throughout her run.
Designated a National Historic Landmark, the stone opera house seats 550 and features trompe l’oeil murals by San Francisco artist John C. Massman. Denver architect Robert S. Roeschlaub designed the structure, which today also houses the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Artists Training Program — a national model for educating and mentoring emerging opera singers.
The summer season typically stages a mix of classic and contemporary works. Scheduled performances for July and August include Verdi’s La Traviata, the Tony Award-winning Man of La Mancha by Dale Wasserman (with music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion), Benjamin Britten’s The Prodigal Son, and Joseph Bodin de Boismortier’s Don Quixote & The Duchess. To improve access from the Denver area, an official Opera Bus runs from select pickup points to Wednesday and Sunday matinees during the festival.
Artistic director Pelham Pearce has also expanded programming beyond the historic Central City venue. In addition to the summer festival, the 2015 season features touring performances in Denver and other Colorado communities, bringing opera and theatrical productions to broader regional audiences.
Visitors to the opera house can experience both the intimate acoustics of the 19th‑century auditorium and the preserved historical details that reflect Central City’s mining-era past. The combination of architectural significance, artistic training, and a varied performance slate keeps the Central City Opera House a cultural destination for residents and visitors alike.