#operahouses — Public Fediverse posts

Five Opera Houses that Blend Music and Nature

Sometimes when you see a handsome building designed and placed perfectly within a spectacular natural setting, it becomes a masterful work of art in itself. Provided below are images of five (5) opera houses located around the globe that do just that. Peace!

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SANTA FE OPERA HOUSE – Santa Fe, New Mexico (1998 – third structure on the site)

Set exquisitely on a mesa just to north of Santa Fe, New Mexico, the Santa Fe Opera House is an architectural jewel adorning the high desert. This performance venue is unique in that its annual opera series is held under an impressive open-air structure with a suspended roof. The surrounding natural vistas of the Jemez Mountains, arid desert, vast horizons, billowing clouds, and summer sunsets form an incredible backdrop to those performing on the stage.

The Santa Fe Opera is truly “a place where elegance meets wilderness” beneath majestic mountains, glorious skies, and shimmering stars.

“The Santa Fe Opera is the only open-air opera house in the United States. Rebuilt three times, each successive structure has retained the footprint of the previous building. Defined as much by the surrounding high desert landscape as by programmatic requirements, the opera house has continued to offer a convincingly modern interpretation of New Mexico’s regional identity.”

Source: sah-archipedia.org

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SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE – Sydney, Australia (1973)

Set at the edge of Bennelong Point overlooking busy Sydney Harbour, the Sydney Opera House is often considered a modern masterpiece of architectural design. Its resemblance to sails fits perfectly with the many sailboats dotting the blue waters of the adjacent harbour. The opera house is so well known, that it’s the most recognizable building of Australia.

“Utzon’s daring design idea was based on glistening white sculptural sails flying above a massive podium.”

Source: australiandesignreview.com

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ZHUHAI OPERA HOUSE – Zhuhai, China (2017)

A marvelous architectural design that celebrates Zhuhai’s pearl, oyster, and clam gathering heritage on an island where the Pearl River meets the sea. These two towering shell-shaped structures (named Sun and Moon) are simply breathtaking in this impressive setting.

“Every day the dance-like convergence of the river and sea, the tide’s ebb and flow is a spectacular scene in which architecture needs to show awareness and sensitivity in responding to this vast natural environment and avoid interrupting it which took billions of years to build up. Therefore, the design incorporates a humble attitude in the face of the ocean and the earth and becomes an integral part of nature.”

Source: e-architect.com

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HANOI/WEST LAKE OPERA HOUSE – Hanoi, Vietnam (2027)

Literally floating in Hanoi’s West Lake, this opera house will meld music and water like no other structure. The following quote aptly summarizes the opera house’s relationship with the natural world.

“Drawing inspiration from local natural forms, the rippling surface of West Lake, and the oyster shell, the building’s aesthetic takes shape as a cultural landmark of international stature and a symbol of Vietnam’s sustainable development. The striking floating structure, rising from the surface of West Lake, reinforces its contextual link to the natural and historical features of the West Lake environment.”

Source: parametric-architecture.com

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HAMBURG STATE OPERA HOUSE – Hamburg, Germany (proposed)

Another fine (future) example of siting an opera house in a perfect natural location. When the Hamburg State Opera House is completed, it will be nearly surrounded by the Elbe River when its new home is completed on a peninsula. As the quote below notes, the design will be at one with the abutting river.

“BIG Landscape’s design extends the opera’s design language into the surrounding park. Flood management is integrated through a system of terraces, planted dunes, and wetlands that absorb and slow water flow. Rain basins collect and filter runoff, creating habitats for local flora and fauna. This way, a resilient ecological zone is created which responds to the tides of the Elbe while framing the opera as a living landscape shaped by natural movement.”

Source: designboom.com

#cities #environment #geography #hamburg #hanoi #history #landUse #landscaping #music #opera #operaHouses #planning #santaFe #scenery #sydney #tourism #travel #zhuhai

The #StevensPointGazette gave me permission to post a 2017 article I wrote about the #Amherst #OperaHouse on my personal blog. At the time of writing, this opera house, built in 1902 in #Wisconsin, had been shuttered for four decades. Then, later in 2017, the #AOHCo.Guild formed and purchased the building, opening its doors to the public once again. (And fundraising to continue renovations.) https://www.sadareed.com/single-post/amherst-hopeful-for-opera-house-s-future #history #AbrahamLincoln #WPA #OperaHouses #Chicago #Bartola #pipeorgan #arts

America’s largest indoor performance halls – UPDATE #7

The following list shows the the largest indoor performance halls in the United States (minimum 2,000 seats and collegiate in italics). It does not include other venues like outdoor amphitheaters, or sports facilities like arenas and stadiums.

1. LDS Conference Center (Salt Lake City, UT) – 21,200 (2000) – Thank you, Joan C.
2. The Sphere (Las Vegas, NV) – 18,600 – added 12/11/24
3. Idaho Center (Brigham Young, ID campus) – 15,000 (2010) – Thank you, Bob and Dan
4. Shrine Auditorium (Los Angeles, CA – 6,300 (1926)
5. Elliott Hall of Music (Purdue University, IN) – 6,005 (1940)
6. Radio City Music Hall (New York City, NY) = 5,960 (1932)
7. Fox Theater (Detroit, MI) – 5,045 (1925)
8. Performing Arts Center (Saratoga, NY) – 5,000 (1966)
9. Fox Theater (Atlanta, GA) – 4,678 (1929)
10. Fox Theatre (St. Louis, MO ) – 4,486 (1929) – Thank you, Kevin
11. Eisenhower Hall Theatre (US Military Academy, NY) – 4,413 (1974) – Thank you, Frank
12. Masonic Temple Theater (Detroit, MI) – 4,404 (1922)
13. Auditorium Theater (Chicago, IL) – 4,300 (1889)
14. Metropolitan Opera House (New York City, NY) – 3,900 (1966)
15. Filene Center (Vienna, VA) – 3,800 (1971)
16. DAR Concert Hall (Washington, DC) – 3,702 (1929)
17. Auditorium (Indiana University) (1941) and Wang Theater (Boston, MA) – 3,700 (1925)
18. Emens Auditorium (Ball State University, IN) – 3,581 (1964)
19. Midland Theater (Kansas City, MO) – 3,573 (1927)
20. Altria Theatre (Richmond, VA) – 3,565 (1928) – Thank you, Mason
21. Civic Opera House (Chicago, IL) – 3,563 (1929)
22. Hill Auditorium (University of Michigan) – 3,538 (1913)
23. Music Hall (Cincinnati, OH) – 3,516 (1878)
24. Miller Auditorium (Western Michigan University) – 3,497 (1968)
25. Music Hall at Fair Park (Dallas, TX) – 3,420 (1925)
26. KeyBank State Theatre (Cleveland, OH) – 3,200 – Thank you, mildcaseofmoray
27. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (Los Angeles. CA) – 3,197 (1964)
28. War Memorial Opera House (San Francisco, CA) – 3,146 (1932)
29. Brooklyn Tech Auditorium (Brooklyn, NY) – 3,100 (1922) – Thank you, Aizawa
30. Eastman Theater (Rochester, NY) – 3,094 (1922)
31. Hawkins’ Centennial Auditorium (Olivet Nazarene University) – 3,059
32. Terrace Theater (Long Beach, CA) – 3,051 (1978)
33. Civic Auditorium (Pasadena, CA) – 3,029 (1931)
34. Shea’s Performing Arts Center (Buffalo, NY) – 3,019 (1926) – Thank you, Lucas
35. Civic Auditorium Concert Hall (San Jose, CA) – 3,001 (1936)
36. Bass Concert Hall (University of Texas) (1981); Birmingham Concert Hall (Birmingham, AL) (1976); and Lyric Theater (Kansas City, MO) – 3,000 (1926)
37. Keller Auditorium (Portland, OR) – 2,992 (1917)
38. Segerstrom Hall (Costa Mesa, CA) – 2,936 (1986)
39. Jones Hall (Houston, TX) – 2,912 (1966)
40. Landmark theater (Syracuse, NY) – 2,900 (1928)
41. Academy of Music (Philadelphia, PA) – 2,897 (1857)
42. McCaw Hall (Seattle, WA) – 2,890 (2003)
43. Benedum Center (Pittsburgh, PA) – 2,885 (1928)
44. Kleinhans Music Hall (Buffalo, NY) – 2,839 (1940)
45. Abravanel Hall (Salt Lake City, UT) – 2,811 (1979)
46. Carnegie Hall/Stern Auditorium (New York City, NY) – 2,804 (1891)
47. Saenger Theater (New Orleans, LA) – 2,800 (1927)
48. Mortensen Hall (Hartford CT) 2,799 (1930)
49. Ohio Theater (Columbus, OH) – 2,779 (1921)
50. Center for the Performing Arts (Portland, OR) – 2,776 (1984)
51. Lincoln Center/Koch Theater – New York City, NY) – 2,755 (1964)
52. City Center (New York City, NY) (1941); Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center (Atlanta, GA) (2007); and Prudential Hall (Newark, NJ) – 2,750 (1997)
53. Stevens Auditorium (Iowa State University) – 2,747 (1969)
54. Davies Symphony Hall (San Francisco, CA) (1980) and Symphony Hall (Newark, NJ) – 2,743 (1925)
55. Lincoln Center/Fisher Hall (New York City, NY) – 2,738 (1962)
56. Aronoff Center (Cincinnati, OH) – 2,719 (1995)
57. Orpheum Theatre (Boston, MA) – 2,706 (1852) – Thank you, Harry
58. Opera House (Detroit, MI) (1922) and Palace (Louisville, KY) – 2,700 (1928)
59. Woosley Hall (Yale University, CT) – 2,695 (1901)
60. Au-rene Theater (Fort Lauderdale, FL) – 2,688 (1991)
61. Powell Symphony Hall (St. Louis, M) – 2,683 (1968)
62. Civic Center (Des Moines, IA) (1979) and Heinz Hall (Pittsburgh, PA) – 2,662 (1927)
63. Boettcher Concert Hall (Denver, CO) – 2,634 (1978)
64. Symphony Hall (Boston, MA) – 2,625 (1900)
65. Symphony Hall (Springfield, MA) – 2,611 (1912)
66. Classic Performance Hall (Little Rock, AR) – 2,609 (1940s)
67. Akron Civic Theatre, Akron, Ohio – 2587 seats – Thank you, Anna
68. Koger Center (Columbia, SC) – 2,556 (1988)
69. Orpheum Theater (Sioux City, IA) – 2,546 (1927)
70. Carr Performing Arts Center (Orlando, FL) – 2,518
71. Warner Theater (Erie, PA) – 2,506 (1976)
72. Benaroya Hall (Seattle, WA) (1998); Chrysler Hall (Norfolk, VA) (1972); Eisenhower Auditorium (Penn State University); Hult Center (Eugene, OR) (1982); Kimmel Center (Philadelphia, PA)(2001); Opera House (Boston, MA) (1928); Orchestra Hall (Chicago, IL) (1904); and Orchestra Hall (Minneapolis, MN) – 2,500 (1974)
73. Civic Center Music Hall (Oklahoma City, OK) – 2,481 (1937)
74. Embassy Theater (Fort Wayne, IN) – 2,478 (1928)
75. Meyerhoff Symphony Hall (Baltimore, MD) – 2,443 (1982)
76. Kennedy Center Concert Hall (Washington, DC) – 2,442 (1971)
77. Stranahan Theater (Toledo, OH) – 2,424 (Thank you, Chris)
78. Wharton Center (Michigan State University) – 2,421(1982)
79. Whitney Hall (Louisville, KY) – 2,406 (1983)
80. DeVos Performance Hall (Grand Rapids, MI) – 2,404 (2005)
81. Adler Theater (Davenport, IA)(1931); Auditorium (Duluth, MN) – 2,400 (1966); Centennial Hall (University of Arizona) (1936); Coronado Theater (Rockford, IL)(1927); Long Center (Austin, TX) (2008); Music Hall (Kansas City, MO)(1935); and Ziff Ballet/Opera House (Miami, FL) – 2,400 (2006)
82. Phoenix Symphony Hall (Phoenix, AZ) – 2,387 (1972)
83. Performing Arts Center (Tulsa, OK) 2,365 (1977)
84. Majestic Theater (San Antonio, TX – 2,311 (1929)
85. Marcus Center (Milwaukee, WI) – 2,305 (1969)
86. Powers Auditorium (Youngstown, OH) – 2,303(1969)
87. Mead Theater (Dayton, OH) (2003);Meymandi Concert Hall (Raleigh, NC)(2001); and Civic Auditorium (Redding, CA) – 2,300 – Thank you, Sam!
88. TCC Music Hall (Tucson, AZ) – 2,289 (1987)
89. Walt Disney Concert Hall (Los Angeles, CA) – 2,265 (2003)
90. Catrol Morsani Hall (Tampa, FL) (1987) and Copley Symphony Hall (San Diego, CA) – 2,252 (1929)
91. Overture Center (Madison, WI) – 2,251 (2004)
92. Civic Center Auditorium (Peoria, IL) – 2,244 (1982)
93. Lied Center (Lincoln, NE) – 2,210 (1990)
94. Fillmore Theater (Detroit, MI)(1925); Knight Concert Hall (Miami, FL) (2006); and Winspear Opera House (Dallas, TX) -2,200 (2009)
95. Dreyfoos Concert Hall (West Palm Beach, FL) – 2,193 (1992)
96. Ruth Eckerd Hall (Clearwater, FL) – 2,180 (1983)
97. Concert Hall (Wichita KS) – 2,178 (1969)
98. Clowes Memorial Hall (Butler University, IN) – 2,172 (1963)
99. Kent Concert Hall (Utah State University) – 2,168 (1967)
100. Blaisdell Concert Hall (Honolulu, HA) – 2,158 (1964)
101. Von Braun Concert Hall (Huntsville, AL) – 2,153
102. Colden Auditorium (New York City, NY) – 2,127 (1961)
103. Classic Center (Athens, GA) – 2,122 (1996)
104. Crouse-Hinds Theater (Syracuse, NY) – 2,117 (1975)
105. Gilman Opera House (Brooklyn, NY) – 2,109 (1861)
106. Belk Theater (Charlotte, NC) (1992); Cannon Center (Memphis, TN (2003); Peace Concert Hall (Greenville, SC) (1990); and Severance Hall (Cleveland, OH) – 2,100 (1931)
107. Fisher Theater (Detroit, MI) – 2,089 (1927)
108. Krannert Center (University of Illinois) – 2,078 (1927)
109. Meyerson Symphony Center (Dallas, TX) – 2,062 (1989)
110. Bass Performance Hall (Fort Worth, TX) – 2,056 (1998)
111. Reynolds Hall (Las Vegas, NV) – 2,050 (2012)
112. The Whiting (Flint, MI) – 2,043 (1967)
113. Civic Auditorium (Santa Cruz, CA)(1940) and Weidner Center (Green Bay, WI) – 2,021 (1993)
114. Arlington Center for the Arts (Santa Barbara, CA) – 2,018 (1931)
115. King Center for the Arts (Melbourne, FL) – 2,016
116. Fisher Music Center (Detroit, MI) – 2,014 (1919)
117. Holland Performing Arts Center (Omaha, NE) – 2,005 (2005)
118. Atwood Concert Hall (Anchorage, AK)(1989) and El Pomar Great Hall (Colorado Springs, CO) – 2,000 (1982)

SOURCES: en.wikipedia.org and individual venue websites

#acting #arts #cities #colleges #conceertHalls #concerts #drama #music #musicHalls #operaHouses #performanceHalls #theaters