The Detroit Opera House, in the city’s Grand Circus Park Historic District, is an opulent venue that plays host to a wide variety of top-quality performances. Its origins date back to the early 1920s, when it first opened as the Capitol Theater. Over the decades it has been reinvented and restored, and it now holds pride of place as the home of the Michigan Opera Theatre, the state’s principal opera company.
The building itself was designed by Detroit architect C. Howard Crane, mimicking the grandeur of European opera houses. The Italian Renaissance-style interior, complete with marble staircases, crystal chandeliers, drinking fountains and frescoed ceilings has been painstakingly restored.
Join one of the guided tours to learn all about the history of the venue, as well as the restoration project carried out in 1996. You will also have the chance to explore behind the scenes and meet the technicians that make all the performances possible.
The opera house has previously played host to world-famous stars such as Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles and Luciano Pavarotti. Every year since its restoration, it has held opera and dance productions, as well as a range of other musical and comedy performances. Check the official website for the latest season’s schedule.
Once you’ve secured your tickets, why not make the most of your evening with dinner at the on-site Cadillac Café? Before shows, it offers a variety of light meals, and it stays open after the curtain comes down, should you want to indulge in dessert.
Although the auditorium seats 2,700, it still retains an intimate atmosphere. Thanks to the original 1920s design, this opera house is renowned for its acoustics. You’ll be in for a treat, whatever performance you attend.
Detroit Opera House is located in the heart of the downtown area. Parking is available nearby, but can get a little expensive. Alternatively, the city’s light rail system, the People Mover, stops close to the opera house.
