The Detroit Opera House - Detroit, Michigan - century-old opera house in Detroit

Throughout its almost 100 years of existence, the Detroit Opera House has enjoyed a distinguished history. In addition to being the permanent home of the Michigan Opera Theater, it has also been host to many famous names, such as Louis Armstrong, Luciano Pavarotti and Roy Orbison. Today, it is considered to be one of the best venues in the Midwest to see world class opera and dance.

The building was designed by the local architect C. Howard Crane and opened in 1922 as the Capitol Theater. The huge building could seat up to 4,250 people and was the fifth largest theater in the world at the time. Crane, who also designed Detroit's Fox Theater, intended that the building would be as stylish as any opera house in Europe, with lavish and beautiful fittings and excellent acoustics.

The interior of the building is even more impressive than the exterior and many of the features are still intact today. Crane designed the building in the Italian Renaissance style and included such touches as marble staircases, brass fixtures and chandeliers. He also made dark red one of the predominant interior colors; the draperies and the curtain on the main stage were constructed from Italian damask.

Throughout the 1920s and 30s the building changed its name several times; and by the 1950s was in a state of disrepair. After renovations, it re-opened in 1960 as the Grand Circus Theater, only to close again eighteen years later. Its future was assured when the Michigan Opera Theater purchased the building in 1988 and beginning in 1996 put on a program of regular events, including five dance productions and five opera productions each year.

During the last few years, the Detroit Opera House has staged productions of some of the world's best known operas, including La Boheme, Porgy and Bess and The Barber of Seville. Past ballet productions have included Romeo and Juliet and Sleeping Beauty. A comprehensive program of special events has included such diverse offerings as Chinese dance, a comedy tour and a blues festival. The Opera House has also worked hard to make opera more accessible to all; a new program called Access tries to make opera and dance more enjoyable and affordable for young people.

In addition to offering a wide program of events, the Opera House also offers visitors guided tours; it's a chance to go behind the scenes and learn about the building's history and ongoing restoration. The Opera House also has a comprehensive program of state wide educational visits and workshops as well as a program in which volunteers assist with the various aspects of production.

The Opera House is located in the heart of downtown Detroit, overlooking Grand Circus Park in an area of the city known as the Theater District. The well known Fox Theater is a short distance away and there is a good selection of hotels and restaurants within walking distance; some area restaurants even provide free shuttle service to the Opera House.