History of the Opera House
written by Martha Fowler
In 1893, Rochester Mayor Orrin A. Hoyt recommended building a city hall large enough for all city offices, police and fire alarm stations, and a public library. He also said, “When I say a city hall, I do not mean an opera house.” By this time many other cities and towns were including auditoriums in their municipal buildings. In 1902-03, a new fire station with an auditorium upstairs was built in East Rochester. The City Council authorized spending $300 to furnish this hall.
City Hall construction workers (c1907) |
The old City Hall against its newly constructed replacement. (c1908) |
The Early Years
In 1906, when money was appropriated for Rochester City Hall, the plans did include an auditorium. Designed by George Gilman Adams, the auditorium featured a horseshoe shaped balcony, grand proscenium, Victorian details, intricate stenciling, beautiful murals, and near perfect acoustics. Adams, who designed many government and civic buildings, also patented a unique movable floor design. The floor could be raised to slope for amphitheater seating or be lowered to be flat for dances.
Furnishing City Hall included furnishing the Opera House. The seats, still in use today, cost $2463.87. Other large expenses included $1835 for scenery, an asbestos curtain, and the purchase of two pianos. The city ran the Opera House under the direction of the mayor and its income and expenses were part of the annual city budget. In its opening year the expenses were $457.72 and its income was $980.16. In 1909 the expenses were $1295.07 and the income was $1605.74. In 1924 the expenses were $1217.07 and the receipts were $2547.28. In 1938 income dropped to $788.97, but still exceeded the expenses of $700.01.
Furnishing City Hall included furnishing the Opera House. The seats, still in use today, cost $2463.87. Other large expenses included $1835 for scenery, an asbestos curtain, and the purchase of two pianos. The city ran the Opera House under the direction of the mayor and its income and expenses were part of the annual city budget. In its opening year the expenses were $457.72 and its income was $980.16. In 1909 the expenses were $1295.07 and the income was $1605.74. In 1924 the expenses were $1217.07 and the receipts were $2547.28. In 1938 income dropped to $788.97, but still exceeded the expenses of $700.01.
Rochester Opera House... Then and Now
City Hall was opened to the public on Decoration (Memorial) Day in 1908. The GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) composed of Union veterans of the Civil War held a program in the Opera House. Martha Safford, widow of a Civil War veteran, attended. She wrote in her diary, “The Grand Army dedicated the new Opera House last eve. They call it the “City Hall”. I went with the Relief Corps. They had speaking and music.” On June 15th she attended the first of many prize speaking contests. It was apparently a full house as she noted, “Good. I sat where I could. The Hall is clean but seems small.” The Rochester Courier described it as “elegant” and a “fine little theater.”
Pearl Harbor Charity Ball (c1942)
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The first dramatic production was a play, “Miss Petticoats”, presented on September 4th, 1908 by a professional touring company. It brought in $177. The Rochester Courier lavished praise on this opening saying, “a large audience went home well pleased with the Opera House, the play, and the company … stage entirely up to date in all its appointments … splendid acoustic properties of the theatre were especially remarked upon.”
Other plays followed including “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” and “Peck’s Bad Boy”. For the next 30 years the Opera House was a busy place with dramatic performances, concerts, minstrel shows, vaudeville acts, dances, lectures, and political rallies. As the popularity of movies increased, the attendance at live stage productions declined. In 1923, radio provided a new use for the Opera House as audiences could listen to concerts and lectures from around the country. The Opera House was used by Rochester High School for graduations, assemblies, dances, and basketball games. Rochester resident Robert Dame remembers covering the windows and tightly wrapping the chandelier with chicken wire before each basketball game to protect them from breaking. The Later YearsIn 1939, Spaulding High School opened with both an auditorium and a gymnasium. The high school no longer needed the facilities of the Opera House. Use of the auditorium steeply declined. A proposal to dismantle it for additional office space was never carried out due to lack of money.
During this time local groups continued to rent it for their programs. In 1948, area churches rented it for a two-week evangelistic campaign. The local papers carried daily reports of Dr. Hyman Appelman’s Bible messages. Headlines proclaimed thousands attended and hundreds were converted. Further evangelistic campaigns were held in the 1950’s. |
Basket Ball Game (c1930's) 
Alterations to City Hall (Dec 1940) |
Brigadoon (c1969) |
Brigadoon (c1969) |
The auditorium was rented four to five times a year for popular country western shows. Wrestling was held in it. The Elk Lodge’s annual Easter Monday Ball was the social event of the year for members of the Elks and their guests.
In 1962, the Rochester Music Theater began opening for ten weeks each summer. A different Broadway musical was presented each week. Appreciative audiences filled the hall for shows produced and directed by Bob LeBlanc with a professional New York Company of actors. Classics like Show Boat, Oklahoma, and South Pacific, and new musicals like The Fantasticks, Camelot, Fiddler on the Roof, and Man of LaMancha entertained young and old. Baroness Maria Von Trapp came to see her life portrayed on stage in The Sound of Music. Actor Gary Burghoff went on to fame as Radar O’Reilly on the hit television show M*A*S*H.
In 1962, the Rochester Music Theater began opening for ten weeks each summer. A different Broadway musical was presented each week. Appreciative audiences filled the hall for shows produced and directed by Bob LeBlanc with a professional New York Company of actors. Classics like Show Boat, Oklahoma, and South Pacific, and new musicals like The Fantasticks, Camelot, Fiddler on the Roof, and Man of LaMancha entertained young and old. Baroness Maria Von Trapp came to see her life portrayed on stage in The Sound of Music. Actor Gary Burghoff went on to fame as Radar O’Reilly on the hit television show M*A*S*H.
George M (c1969) |
Brigadoon (c1969) |
The End of an Era
By 1973 an economic downturn led to shrinking audiences and rising costs. The season closed with a staggering $10,000 debt. During the next winter, fundraising efforts cut the debt in half, but in May 1974 the Rochester Music Theater announced it would take a one year hiatus to catch up on their remaining debt. Although they planned to reopen the following year, they never did.
The 1974 Frisbie Follies was the last event of the era. The Frisbie Hospital Aid Association had raised thousands of dollars for the hospital with their variety shows which played to capacity audiences. After their last performance on October 26th, 1974 the auditorium was abandoned.
The 1974 Frisbie Follies was the last event of the era. The Frisbie Hospital Aid Association had raised thousands of dollars for the hospital with their variety shows which played to capacity audiences. After their last performance on October 26th, 1974 the auditorium was abandoned.
The Rochester Opera House (c1990's)
By the mid 1980's pigeon and rodent droppings and large chunks of ceiling plaster littered the floor. Beginning in June 1984, attempts were made to restore the Opera House. They seemed to face insurmountable obstacles, but they laid a foundation for renewed efforts in 1996, under the leadership of Mayor Harvey Bernier. Through thousands of hours of volunteer work, money was raised and the Opera House, including the one of a kind movable floor, was restored and placed on the National Register of Historic Places. By 1998 performances once again filled the hall.
Today
Since 1998, the Rochester Opera House became an official community supported not-for-profit organization. The venue has hosted a wide variety of regional, national, and internationally recognized artists such as, Natalie MacMaster, Patti Page, Crystal Gayle, Melanie, Peter Yarrow of Peter Paul and Mary, The Second City Comedy Troupe, Jimmy "JJ" Walker, Recycled Percussion, The Gibson Brothers, Sierra Hull, The Golden Dragon Acrobats, LeAnn Rimes, Montgomery Gentry, The Infamous Stringdusters, Capitol Steps, Comedian Gilbert Gottfried, Blues Traveler, and many more.
Restored Balcony Seats |
Original Chandelier with Restored Stenciling |
The Opera House has since produced an award-winning professional theatre series which included shows like, Nutcracker, Cabaret, Oliver!, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Little Shop of Horrors, A Few Good Men, Annie, Shout! The Mod Musical, The Rocky Horror Show, 12 Angry Men (Jurors), Vagina Monologues, All Shook Up, Shrek The Musical, The Wizard of Oz, The Addams Family, Joseph & the Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Diary of Anne Frank, Hamlet, Oklahoma, The Miracle Worker, and many more.
Gilligan's Island: The Musical (Jan 2018) |
Rocky Horror Show (Oct 2016) |
The Opera House has also been a popular presidential primary stop for major candidates and surrogates such as, President Bill Clinton, Secretary Hillary Clinton, Senator John McCain, Senator Bernie Sanders, Governor Mitt Romney, and President Barack Obama.
The Rochester Opera House reached its centennial anniversary on May 30th, 2008. The centennial season was one of the most successful in the theater’s long history. In the years following the centennial, under the direction of Anthony Ejarque and his dedicated team, ticket sales continued to climb, many technical upgrades were made, and the theater has been widely credited as the undisputed leader in the city’s downtown economic revitalization.
The Rochester Opera House reached its centennial anniversary on May 30th, 2008. The centennial season was one of the most successful in the theater’s long history. In the years following the centennial, under the direction of Anthony Ejarque and his dedicated team, ticket sales continued to climb, many technical upgrades were made, and the theater has been widely credited as the undisputed leader in the city’s downtown economic revitalization.
Rescued Grand Drape Vignettes
on display at the Rochester Public Library
The Rochester Opera House, opened on Memorial Day 1908, readied for use with ten magnificent scenery curtains, hand painted on linen by the O.L. Story Scenic Studio of Boston. These grand drapes, with their lavish center scenes, were ornamented with elaborate fringe and tassels to give an illusion of heavy drapery.
During the restoration of the Rochester Opera House in 1996, one last tattered and torn curtain was discovered and stored away for safekeeping. Several years passed, memories faded, and the exact location of the curtain became a mystery. After a concerted effort in 2011 to locate this century-old treasure, it was discovered that the curtain had been hid away into the dark recesses of the theatre fly space.
During the restoration of the Rochester Opera House in 1996, one last tattered and torn curtain was discovered and stored away for safekeeping. Several years passed, memories faded, and the exact location of the curtain became a mystery. After a concerted effort in 2011 to locate this century-old treasure, it was discovered that the curtain had been hid away into the dark recesses of the theatre fly space.
Rescued fragments |
More rescued fragments |
Christine Hadsel, Director of Curtains Without Borders in Vermont, advised that the curtain not be unrolled until she could assist. Hadsel began work on painted theatre curtains in Vermont in 1998 and that collection has been given the status of National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Treasure.
Hadsel arrived from Vermont for the “unveiling” of this treasure. Unfortunately, after much study, she concluded that a complete restoration of the last remaining scenery curtain was not feasible. Although a century of wear and tear had taken its toll on the once magnificent grand drape, the beauty endured.
In an effort to share the legacy of these priceless hand-painted theatre curtains, a series of fragments have been preserved. With mat and frame, these grand drape vignettes have been transformed into precious works of art. Some pieces resemble the impressionism of a Monet painting, while others have a feel of the Orient. No two pieces are the same, but all are stunning.
Martha Cox (Great Works Painting Restoration, Shapleigh, ME) and Lee Copp (Timeless Framing, Rochester, NH) worked together to determine the best method to preserve and to frame the vignettes. Cox explains, “Artifacts like these theatre curtains are significant historical documents that deserve to be preserved, maintained and retained as part of the overall history of the Rochester Opera House. The current theatre curtain project is a small documentation of the theatre’s history that can be shared by the public.”
The framed vignettes are currently on view at the Rochester Public Library, thanks to the efforts of the Rochester Museum of Fine Arts.
Hadsel arrived from Vermont for the “unveiling” of this treasure. Unfortunately, after much study, she concluded that a complete restoration of the last remaining scenery curtain was not feasible. Although a century of wear and tear had taken its toll on the once magnificent grand drape, the beauty endured.
In an effort to share the legacy of these priceless hand-painted theatre curtains, a series of fragments have been preserved. With mat and frame, these grand drape vignettes have been transformed into precious works of art. Some pieces resemble the impressionism of a Monet painting, while others have a feel of the Orient. No two pieces are the same, but all are stunning.
Martha Cox (Great Works Painting Restoration, Shapleigh, ME) and Lee Copp (Timeless Framing, Rochester, NH) worked together to determine the best method to preserve and to frame the vignettes. Cox explains, “Artifacts like these theatre curtains are significant historical documents that deserve to be preserved, maintained and retained as part of the overall history of the Rochester Opera House. The current theatre curtain project is a small documentation of the theatre’s history that can be shared by the public.”
The framed vignettes are currently on view at the Rochester Public Library, thanks to the efforts of the Rochester Museum of Fine Arts.
The Last Moving Floor
written by Susan Page
The new Rochester City Hall and Opera House combination, built for the sum of $85,745.62, was revealed to the public on Memorial Day, 1908. Well known architect and Rochester native George Gilman Adams had designed a magnificent theater with stunning architectural details, a horseshoe balcony, grand proscenium, intricate stenciling, and near-perfect acoustics. But the most spectacular feature remained hidden from view… an elaborate system that raised and leveled the orchestra floor.
The new City Opera House was formally opened to dramatic performances last week when the play of Miss Petticoats was given there. The theater was filled with a large crowd that went home well pleased with the Opera House, the play, and the company.” - (Rochester Courier 9/11/1908)
For nearly three decades, the Rochester Opera House was the hub for community entertainment. It was the host of many plays, minstrels, vaudeville shows, concerts, elegant balls, civic events, inaugurals, political rallies, and lectures. Lacking an auditorium and gymnasium, Rochester High School relied on the Opera House to stage their athletic events, general assemblies, dances, and commencements.
The doors to the Opera House, supported by rental programs, remained open for the next three decades. The Elks’ Charity Ball and the popular Frisbie Follies were a hit with the community for several seasons. The Enlisted Men of Harbor Defense of Portsmouth presented the “All Soldier, One Girl Musical Comedy” Keep Mum, Chum! on January 11, 1943. George McManus’ Bringing Up Baby undoubtedly drew a large crowd, since this cartoon musical was an “entirely new comedy treat with good music and pretty girls.” The Rochester Loyal Order of Moose held their First Annual Ball on May 16, 1945.
Beginning in 1962, Bob LeBlanc produced and directed eleven packed-house seasons of Summer Music Theater, billed as New Hampshire’s newest and foremost musical summer theatre with a professional New York company. Local families housed the talented young actors during their stay. The company performed as many as ten of Broadway’s most popular musicals each summer. Patrons traveled from great distances to attend.
The new City Opera House was formally opened to dramatic performances last week when the play of Miss Petticoats was given there. The theater was filled with a large crowd that went home well pleased with the Opera House, the play, and the company.” - (Rochester Courier 9/11/1908)
For nearly three decades, the Rochester Opera House was the hub for community entertainment. It was the host of many plays, minstrels, vaudeville shows, concerts, elegant balls, civic events, inaugurals, political rallies, and lectures. Lacking an auditorium and gymnasium, Rochester High School relied on the Opera House to stage their athletic events, general assemblies, dances, and commencements.
The doors to the Opera House, supported by rental programs, remained open for the next three decades. The Elks’ Charity Ball and the popular Frisbie Follies were a hit with the community for several seasons. The Enlisted Men of Harbor Defense of Portsmouth presented the “All Soldier, One Girl Musical Comedy” Keep Mum, Chum! on January 11, 1943. George McManus’ Bringing Up Baby undoubtedly drew a large crowd, since this cartoon musical was an “entirely new comedy treat with good music and pretty girls.” The Rochester Loyal Order of Moose held their First Annual Ball on May 16, 1945.
Beginning in 1962, Bob LeBlanc produced and directed eleven packed-house seasons of Summer Music Theater, billed as New Hampshire’s newest and foremost musical summer theatre with a professional New York company. Local families housed the talented young actors during their stay. The company performed as many as ten of Broadway’s most popular musicals each summer. Patrons traveled from great distances to attend.
By 1974, the doors to the Rochester Opera House officially closed. The “special object of civic pride” was now totally abandoned.
Members of the Rochester Heritage Trust and Arts Rochester launched the Rochester Opera House Restoration Project in June of 1984. The team opened the doors to find the interior damage was extensive and worse still… the auditorium floor raising and leveling system was so unique that its intricate operation and location was now a mystery.
Members of the Rochester Heritage Trust and Arts Rochester launched the Rochester Opera House Restoration Project in June of 1984. The team opened the doors to find the interior damage was extensive and worse still… the auditorium floor raising and leveling system was so unique that its intricate operation and location was now a mystery.
Kenn Ortmann, Rochester Planning Director, contacted professor Charles Goodspeed, of the UNH engineering department, to help solve the mystery. Nancy Alberto and Heidi Barrett, structural engineering students, answered the challenge. The two spent several days crawling under the raised floor, which goes from 36 inches in the rear to 0 near the stage. They took measurements and photos of each step and angle. Next, they discovered the motor room, hidden in a mass of insulation, under the balcony floor.
The estimate to repair the system in 1987 was $1,220,000 which halted restoration efforts. The doors closed once again and the deterioration process continued.
“It is highly unlikely that the floor system will ever be returned to its original state. But one must argue for its preservation as a vital artifact to our nation’s architectural and popular entertainment history as well as a testament to the ingenuity of George G. Adams and the practical sensibilities of the New England Yankee.” - (New England Yankee Ingenuity)
In 1996, Rochester Mayor Harvey E. Bernier challenged his community to launch one last effort to restore the Rochester Opera House with his passionate plea, “This project touches the very soul of Rochester... who we were yesterday… who we are today... and who we will be tomorrow. It is a defining moment for us, my friends, and believe me... we will not fail!”
“It is highly unlikely that the floor system will ever be returned to its original state. But one must argue for its preservation as a vital artifact to our nation’s architectural and popular entertainment history as well as a testament to the ingenuity of George G. Adams and the practical sensibilities of the New England Yankee.” - (New England Yankee Ingenuity)
In 1996, Rochester Mayor Harvey E. Bernier challenged his community to launch one last effort to restore the Rochester Opera House with his passionate plea, “This project touches the very soul of Rochester... who we were yesterday… who we are today... and who we will be tomorrow. It is a defining moment for us, my friends, and believe me... we will not fail!”
George Allen, OASIS |
View of the floor mechanism hidden under the balcony |
Under the gifted direction of George Allen, founder of OASIS Optical Alignment Services and Opera House committee chairman, the daunting restoration task resumed. The deterioration process had claimed nearly every inch of the theater. The severely damaged floor was frozen in the raised position. The beautiful Victorian stenciling was masked under several layers of paint. The walls and ceiling were ravaged by water from the leaking roof. There was no trace of the once magnificent theater.
Countless donations provided the tools and thousands of volunteer hours provided the power. In 1997, the City of Rochester received the Governor’s Award in the Arts for Community Spirit. After twenty three years of darkness, the doors of the Rochester Opera House reopened ushering in a new era of live theatre performances.
In late 2007, the Rochester Opera House, now operating as a not-for-profit organization, encountered a major, almost insurmountable, crossroad. The floor mechanism sustained considerable damage and debt was mounting. On the eve of a new year, the centennial year, the doors threatened to close yet again.
A newly formed team of volunteers, as well as a number of experienced Opera House veterans, entered the theater determined to save the nearly century old historic theater. The team reorganized with a new board of directors, reduced annual salaries by ninety percent, paid down the debt with donations, in-kind labor and services, and negotiated with creditors. George Allen, his son Don, and their dedicated team stepped up, again, to repair the damaged floor mechanism.
The Rochester Opera House celebrated its 100 year anniversary on May 30th, 2008 with the floor in fully working order and an all-new season of live performances, concerts, civic events, and more.
Countless donations provided the tools and thousands of volunteer hours provided the power. In 1997, the City of Rochester received the Governor’s Award in the Arts for Community Spirit. After twenty three years of darkness, the doors of the Rochester Opera House reopened ushering in a new era of live theatre performances.
In late 2007, the Rochester Opera House, now operating as a not-for-profit organization, encountered a major, almost insurmountable, crossroad. The floor mechanism sustained considerable damage and debt was mounting. On the eve of a new year, the centennial year, the doors threatened to close yet again.
A newly formed team of volunteers, as well as a number of experienced Opera House veterans, entered the theater determined to save the nearly century old historic theater. The team reorganized with a new board of directors, reduced annual salaries by ninety percent, paid down the debt with donations, in-kind labor and services, and negotiated with creditors. George Allen, his son Don, and their dedicated team stepped up, again, to repair the damaged floor mechanism.
The Rochester Opera House celebrated its 100 year anniversary on May 30th, 2008 with the floor in fully working order and an all-new season of live performances, concerts, civic events, and more.