DRESS CIRCLE WAR MEMORIAL OPERA HOUSE PLUS

In 1989, the powerful Loma Prieta earthquake that shook the Bay Area caused major damage to the Opera House. At the same time, the nearby Zellerbach Rehearsal Hall, with a stage the same size as that of the Opera House, was opened as part of the complex which included the Louise M. This gave spaces for sets, coaches, and dancers as well as more administrative space. In 1979 the backstage area was extended, followed in 1981 by the opening of a new wing built onto the house on the Franklin Street side. In 1974, The Pointer Sisters were the first pop act to perform at the theatre. In particular, there was a lack of office space and rehearsal space.

Six years later in 1951, the Treaty of San Francisco, declaring peace with Japan was drafted and signed here and in the Herbst Theatre.ĭuring the years of Kurt Herbert Adler's general directorship, the inadequacies of the house became apparent as the season was expanded. The UN Charter was later drafted and signed in the Herbst Theatre next door. In spring of 1945, the United Nations had its San Francisco Conference (UN Conference on International Organization) first organizing assembly there. The orchestra's final concert in the house was an all- Beethoven concert, conducted by Leonard Slatkin, in June 1980.Īfter the Japanese attack and bombing of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, marking the American entry into World War II in December 1941, the house was regularly blacked out and performances were monitored by air raid wardens.

In later years, the orchestra used a special acoustical shell that was placed around the musicians, greatly enhancing acoustics for concerts. The orchestra also made a few recordings for RCA with Enrique Jorda in 19. RCA Victor recorded the orchestra here, under the direction of Pierre Monteux, from 1941 to 1952 and in a special stereophonic session in January 1960. The San Francisco Symphony performed most of its concerts in the house, from 1932 to 1980.

This is smaller than the Metropolitan Opera (3,800 seats) and the Chicago Lyric Opera (3,500 seats), but it follows the trend of larger capacity in American opera houses than the main European opera houses of the 19th century (Paris Opera Garnier 2,200, Royal Opera House London 2,268, Vienna State Opera 2,280, and La Scala 2,800).

DRESS CIRCLE WAR MEMORIAL OPERA HOUSE PLUS

The theater has 3,146 seats plus standing room for 200 behind the orchestra and balcony sections. The theater space is dominated by a massive aluminum and glass panel chandelier under a blue vault, and the proscenium arch is decorated with gilded figurative sculpture. It was the site of the San Francisco Conference, the first assembly of the newly organized United Nations in April 1945. It has been the home of the San Francisco Opera since opening night in 1932. It is part of the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center. The War Memorial Opera House is an opera house in San Francisco, California, located on the western side of Van Ness Avenue across from the west side/rear facade of the San Francisco City Hall. San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Ballet San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center

Dress circle war memorial opera house