1870s Opera House Is A Legacy Born From The Gold Rush
Central City Opera stands as one of America’s most unique and treasured opera companies
Photo courtesy of Amanda Tipton Photography | The Central City Opera House appears much as it did in the 1870s. Designed by prominent Denver architect Robert S. Roeschlaub, who provided an elegant, understated design for the stone structure, the Central City Opera House first opened in 1878. San Francisco artist John C. Massman added elaborate trompe l’oeil murals to the interior.
Nestled in the heart of one of Colorado’s historic gold-mining towns, Central City Opera stands as one of America’s most unique and treasured opera companies. With nearly a century of performances behind it, the CCO continues to evolve while staying true to its deep-rooted history. We spoke with Scott Finlay, president and CEO of the opera company, about its history and current focus:
A LEGACY BORN FROM THE GOLD RUSH
“Central City was known as the ‘richest square mile on earth’ during the Gold Rush of the late 1850s and early 1860s,” Finlay explains. As the population swelled, so did the demand for entertainment, leading to the construction of several theaters. When an earlier venue proved too small, townspeople banded together to raise funds and build the Central City Opera House in 1878. “It truly was the people in the community who put their hard work into building their own unique opera house,” he says.
However, Central City’s fortunes changed with the gold bust, and the town nearly faded into obscurity. In 1932, preservationists Ann Evans and Ida Kruse McFarlane launched the Central City Opera Summer Festival to restore the opera house and celebrate Colorado’s mining heritage. Against the odds—during the Great Depression—the festival flourished; performances were even broadcast on NBC radio.
Photo courtesy of Tom Duggan | As president and CEO of Central City Opera, Scott Finlay works to honor the legacy of the opera company while welcoming new art to share with guests.
BALANCING TRADITION WITH INNOVATION
Today, Central City Opera continues to honor its past while embracing the future. “We have a commitment to new works, as well as classics,” Finlay notes, highlighting past productions like “The Ballad of Baby Doe” and this year’s regional premiere of “The Knock.”
Although the opera house was founded to preserve the history of Colorado’s miners, it evolved into a thriving opera company. “That magic from the past has stayed with us, and when you visit Central City today, the entire town looks much the same as it did in the 1870s. Coming to the CCO offers an incredible experience where you are truly immersed in art and history—it’s very special,” says Finlay.
Central City Opera is also engaging new and younger audiences through programs like Chiaro Scuro (Light in Darkness), which re- imagines classic opera scenes to address adolescent mental health.
“A few years back I asked myself, ‘Is opera still appreciated and relevant?’ I came to the conclusion that our job isn’t just about putting amazing art on the stage; it is also about making the art accessible and relevant to new audiences,” says Finlay. “Today, we have programs that do just that. Chiaro Scuro uses opera arias and scenes and repackages them into modern-day presentations to help address youth mental health issues. Kids really identify with the material, so we are able to bring lessons from operas and transcend time, while introducing them to an art form that they may not be familiar with. Opera has the opportunity to tell stories in ways that you just cannot get from any other art form.”
Photo courtesy of Amanda Tipton Photography
AN UNPARALLELED OPERA EXPERIENCE
Central City Opera’s intimate 550-seat theater offers a rare opportunity to experience world-class performances up close. “Most opera houses today seat thousands, but ours was built in a way that opera was meant to be experienced,” Finlay says.
This season’s lineup opens with “The Barber of Seville,” followed by “The Knock,” a poignant opera of heartache and hope that tells the story of military families awaiting news of their loved ones during the Iraq War. Finishing the season, the family-friendly “Once Upon a Mattress”—inspired by the classic fairytale “The Princess and the Pea”—is sure to attract young audiences.
“We are excited to see more families and younger people getting to experience our opera house for the first time,” says Finlay.
As the CCO approaches its 100th anniversary—in 2032—Finlay envisions a future where Central City is a cultural hub year-round. “We are at a reboot moment for the company,” he says. “Keep your eye on Central City Opera.”
The Central City Opera 2025 season is June 28 through Aug. 3 and will be the first festival programmed by newly appointed artistic director Alison Moritz.
Tickets sell out fast—don’t miss your chance to be part of history!
CENTRAL CITY OPERA HOUSE
124 Eureka St., Central City
CENTRAL CITY OPERA BOX OFFICE
4875 Ward Road, Suite 100, Wheat Ridge
