Boston Opera House (1909) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Boston Opera House |
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The Boston Opera House, c. 1910
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| General information | |
| Type | Opera house |
| Address | Huntington Avenue |
| Town or city | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 42°20′26″N 71°05′23″W / 42.3405°N 71.0896°W |
| Opened | November 8, 1909 |
| Demolished | 1958 |
| Owner | Boston Opera Company |
| Design and construction | |
| Architecture firm | Wheelwright and Haven |
The Boston Opera House was a special building in Boston. It was a place where people watched opera performances. The opera house opened in 1909. It was home to the Boston Opera Company. Sadly, it was torn down in 1958. Today, a building called Speare Hall stands where the opera house used to be. This building is a dormitory for Northeastern University students.
Contents
History of the Boston Opera House
How the Opera House Was Built
Building the Boston Opera House started in 1901. Architects Wheelwright and Haven designed it. But there were money problems, so building stopped for a while.
In 1908, a rich man named Eben Dyer Jordan helped out. He gave $700,000 to finish the building. This money also helped start the new Boston Opera Company (BOC). Henry Russell was in charge of this company.
An artist named Guido Nincheri decorated the inside. The opera house was close to other music places. It was near Boston Symphony Hall and the New England Conservatory of Music.
Grand Opening and Early Years
The Boston Opera House officially opened on November 8, 1909. The first show was an opera called La Gioconda. The Boston Opera Company performed it. Famous singers like Lillian Nordica and Louise Homer were in the show.
People said the theater was "a perfect jewel-box." It was the main home for the BOC for six years. Henry Russell led the company during this time.
After 1915, the BOC went out of business. Other local opera groups used the building. The famous Metropolitan Opera also performed there often.
Why the Opera House Was Torn Down
During the Great Depression and World War II, the opera house was not used much. It started to get old and damaged.
In 1957, the city decided it was unsafe. They planned to tear it down. Many people who loved opera protested. They wanted to save the building. But the city's decision stayed.
The building was very strong and hard to tear down. Two different demolition companies gave up. Finally, a bigger machine arrived. Only then did the walls fall in 1958.
A man named Walter Pierce said, "It was the time of urban renewal." This means old buildings were often replaced with new ones.
A brick from the old theater was saved by Ron Della Chiesa. It is now kept at Northeastern University. You can also see the original plans for the opera house there.
See also
- Boston Opera House (1980)
Images for kids
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The Boston Opera House, c. 1910
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Huntington Avenue Grounds, home of the Red Sox from 1901 through 1911, with Opera House visible in upper right
