Central City Opera

Central City Opera (CCO) is a distinguished American opera company with a rich history dating back to its founding in 1932, making it the fifth oldest professional opera company in the United States. The company is celebrated for its high-quality productions, its significant young artist training program, and its extensive educational and community engagement initiatives. Central City Opera's summer festival is held in the historic Colorado mountain town of Central City, situated at an elevation of 8,500 feet and only 35 miles west of Denver. The company is the custodian of 27 Victorian-era properties, including the intimate 550-seat opera house that was constructed in 1878. The Central City Opera House, a National Historic Landmark, is the centerpiece of the historic gold mining town of Central City. It was built in 1878 by Welsh and Cornish miners and has been the venue for the nation's fifth-oldest opera company since 1932. The opera house is the second oldest summer opera company in the United States, following the Chautauqua Opera. The summer festival draws audiences from across the nation and around the world to enjoy opera performances in the 550-seat venue. In 1877, the citizens of Central City, then known as "the richest square mile on earth" due to its gold mining prosperity, initiated a fundraising campaign to construct a grand opera house. The design of the stone structure was provided by prominent Denver architect Robert S. Roeschlaub, and the interior was adorned with trompe l’oeil murals by San Francisco artist John C. Massman. However, the opera house's early years of glory were short-lived as the mines were depleted and the building fell into disrepair. A restoration effort in 1932, led by volunteers including Ida Kruse McFarlane, Edna Chappell, and Anne Evans, revitalized the opera house. The legendary actress Lillian Gish performed in "Camille" during the grand reopening, establishing the tradition of annual summer festivals that continue to this day. Over the years, the festival has featured performances by renowned artists such as Beverly Sills, Jerome Hines, Helen Hayes, Samuel Ramey, and Catherine Malfitano. Notable commissions by the company include "The Ballad of Baby Doe" by Douglas Moore and "The Face On The Barroom Floor" by Henry Mollicone. Central City Opera is also known for its Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Artists Training Program, which has been a national model for training young singers for over four decades. The opera house itself has been updated with modern amenities, including plush seating installed in 1999, with many chairs commemorating Colorado pioneers and notable performers. The organization's vision is to use the power of the arts and historic preservation to enhance lives and communities. Its mission includes creating exceptional opera and musical theater, delivering artistic and educational programs, celebrating diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and preserving the historic opera house and other properties. Central City Opera's values are rooted in excellence, passion, innovation, engagement, integrity, and inclusiveness. Central City Opera acknowledges its presence on the traditional lands of the Cheyenne, Ute, and Očhéthi Šakówiŋ tribes, as well as the historical ties of 48 contemporary tribal nations to the state of Colorado. The organization is committed to being responsible stewards of the land and to continuing its educational mission regarding Colorado's history. For more information on Central City Opera's history, visitors can explore the historic properties or contact the Box Office to order the commemorative book, "Theatre of Dreams: The Glorious Central City Opera Celebrating 75 Years."