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Giuseppe Verdi returned to Paris for what many see as the greatest French grand opera, Don Carlos (1867). Ambroise Thomas contributed his Hamlet in 1868, and finally, at the end of the decade, the revised Faust was premiered at the Opéra in its grand opera format. The Grand received overwhelming support from the Galveston community, raising over $8 million over the course of the restoration project from 1974 to 1990. In addition to restoring all the historic decorative features of the building, like the stage curtain that was originally hand-painted by Frank Cox, many modern conveniences were added, including an air conditioning and heating system, an elevator, and several apartments on what was formerly the third and fourth floors of the hotel side of the building.
Rosenberg Treasure: Galveston’s World War I Memorial
It is likely that few now living have any memory of this long-vanished theater. Opened in 1884, as Childs' Opera House, this theater was at the time the largest yet built in the growing city of Los Angeles. It was built by local entrepreneur and real estate man Ozro W. Childs, one of the city’s most successful developers. La reine de Saba by Charles Gounod was rarely given in its entirety, although the big tenor aria, "Inspirez-moi, race divine", was a popular feature of tenor recitals. Meyerbeer died on 2 May 1864; his late opera, L'Africaine, was premiered posthumously in 1865.
The first grand operas (1828–
From the sun-kissed beaches of Galveston Island, to the dazzling Kemah Boardwalk; from the crystal shores of Bolivar Peninsula to the vineyards of Haak Winery, the Galveston Bay Area is a place where memories are made that last a lifetime. Just a short distance from Houston, this coastal jewel offers a dizzying array of fun family activities, historical architecture, fresh Gulf seafood, world-class attractions, and unforgettable cruises. Support came from individuals, the business and corporate community, local government and, of course, included generous foundation support from around the state and nation. This magnificently restored, historic 1000 seat Opera House is available for convention groups, meetings, receptions, parties or privately booked performances.
Late French grand operas
When $8 million was raised for the Grand’s restoration between 1974 and 1990, it was a remarkable community effort which included the volunteer efforts of literally thousands of residents from Galveston county, the greater Houston area and the state of Texas. The Grand has been through natural disasters, such as fires and hurricanes, as well as neglect during its time as a movie house. It has been rebuilt and remodeled more than once, such as during the devastating Galveston Hurricane of 1900, when its rear wall and roof caved in. Joe Vogel's research indicates that noted Chicago theatre architect James M. Wood ( c.1907) probably also worked on the project. He's noted (as "Woods") in a July 8, 1888 Los Angeles Herald article as being involved in the theatre's renovation at that time.
ARToberFEST - Galveston, TX - Galveston.com
ARToberFEST - Galveston, TX.
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Located on a sunny, spotless hilltop that spans three city blocks and is one of the most accessible areas of all downtown, The Grand provides the ideal entry point for retailers and restaurateurs seeking a DTLA location in a protected, highly-controlled environment. Designed by celebrated architect Frank Gehry, with interiors by acclaimed designers David Rockwell and Anthony Ingrao, world-class residences are created at The Grand. From this vantage point, the homes look out to sweeping views of Los Angeles, with access to DTLA's most sought after amenities, on site and around every corner. An article about architect Sydney Lovell in the summer, 2003, issue of Marquee, by Barbara Coy Janssens, says that Lovell was working in partnership with James Wood when, in 1888, Wood received a commission to remodel the Grand Opera House.
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In 1936 it was operating as the Grand International Theatre screening foreign movies and the long and varied career of the Grand Theater came to an end, and shortly after being closed, the theater was demolished. Paris at the turn of the 19th century drew in many composers, both French and foreign, especially those of opera. Several Italians working during this period, including Luigi Cherubini, demonstrated that the use of recitative was suited for the powerful dramas that were being written. Other factors which led to Parisian supremacy at operatic spectacle were the ability of the large Paris Opéra to stage sizeable works and recruit leading stage-painters, designers and technicians, the long tradition of French ballet, and the art of stagecraft.
Galveston children's festival expected to draw thousands - Chron
Galveston children's festival expected to draw thousands.
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In "The Childs Opera House," a lengthy article describing the theatre in the May 25, 1884 issue of the Los Angeles Herald it's noted that the "designer" of the house was a Colonel A.M. Gray. The article can be viewed on the website of the California Digital Newspaper Collection. I would imagine that most of Wood and Lovell’s work on the building had to do with the practical aspects of theater design, and focused on the stage facilities.
The auditorium featured a good-sized balcony, and side boxes, and the lobby and lounges were appointed in the latest fashions as dictated by the larger cities of the east. A notable feature of grand opera as it developed in Paris through the 1830s was the presence of a lavish ballet, to appear at or near the beginning of its second act. This was required, not for aesthetic reasons, but to satisfy the demands of the Opera's wealthy and aristocratic patrons, many of whom were more interested in the dancers themselves more than the opera. After the Revolution, the new regime determined to privatize the previously state-run Opéra and the winner of the contract was a businessman who acknowledged that he knew nothing of music, Louis-Désiré Véron.
The Grand by Gehry Penthouse residences
The first theatre performance lit by gas, for example, was Aladin ou La lampe merveilleuse at the Opéra in 1823. The theatre had the innovative designers Duponchel, Cicéri and Daguerre on its staff as well. In order to be considered “grand,” an opera house was required to have a fly space above the stage, wings on either side of the stage, individual dressing rooms, an orchestra pit, stage lighting, and a box office. The appropriately named Grand 1894 Opera House contained all these features and more.
The Grand is one of the few remaining theatres of its era in Texas and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. As further recognition of its importance to the citizens of Texas, in 1993 the 73rd Texas Legislature proclaimed The Grand “The Official Opera House of Texas“. The Grand is one of the few remaining theatres of its era in Texas and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
It’s now just “The Grand,” the single streetlamp has been upgraded to one with multiple globes, the 10¢ sign has been added, as well as more lights around the theater and store entrances, but the building next door is still painted black. The poles out front have disappeared, and now there’s a short single streetlamp in front, the awning on the right has been bisected for a small newsstand (?) with a round clock shape, probably painted on the awning, and the building to the right is painted black, and it looks like the entrance is framed with incandescent lights. French grand opera was generally well received in Italy, where it was always performed in Italian translation. As they say, all the world is a stage and the possibilities are endless at The Grand 1894 Opera House. For some events, the layout and specific seat locations may vary without notice.
Although each season is different, most include concerts by internationally renowned musicians across a variety of genres, shows by stand-up comedians, stars of stage and screen, Broadway hits, theatrical plays and more. If you happen to be in Galveston in the summer and want to catch a show, don’t worry. The Grand presents a summer season from June through August, so you don’t have to go without high-quality entertainment if you’re in Galveston for a summertime beach vacation. The front wall of the building is made of red stone, brick, and terra cotta; the large, glass doors are framed by a carved, Romanesque style stone arch. The carpet is a historic pattern of colors found in the decorative curtain and stenciling of roses and scrolls on the ceiling and boxes. The banisters and railings are of long leaf red-heart pine, like the wainscot.
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