Opera House, Wellington: Difference between revisions
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== History == |
== History == |
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Construction work on the building began in 1911, and was originally named |
Construction work on the building began in 1911, and was originally named ''The Grand Opera House'' in May 1913 with a plan to open early on Boxing Night that year.<ref name="nzpp-newname">{{cite news |
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| title = New Theatre Named |
| title = New Theatre Named |
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| newspaper = Dominion |
| newspaper = Dominion |
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[[File:The Opera House, Wellington, interior.jpg|thumb|The original interior pasterwork in the upper foyer, restored in 2016.]] |
[[File:The Opera House, Wellington, interior.jpg|thumb|The original interior pasterwork in the upper foyer, restored in 2016.]] |
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In the 1990s and early 2000s the building was operated by the St James Theatre Trust, which ran the nearby [[St. James Theatre (Wellington)|St James Theatre]]. In July 2011 Positively Wellington Venues, an integration between the Wellington Convention Centre and the St James Theatre Trust, began managing the theatre under the new name of |
In the 1990s and early 2000s the building was operated by the St James Theatre Trust, which ran the nearby [[St. James Theatre (Wellington)|St James Theatre]]. In July 2011 Positively Wellington Venues, an integration between the Wellington Convention Centre and the St James Theatre Trust, began managing the theatre under the new name of ''The Opera House'' along with five other venues in the capital city. In October 2012 it was announced that the Opera House was an earthquake risk and would possibly have to close.<ref name="2012-closure">{{cite news |
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| url = http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/the-wellingtonian/7800357/Opera-House-may-close |
| url = http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/the-wellingtonian/7800357/Opera-House-may-close |
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| title = Opera House may close |
| title = Opera House may close |
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Revision as of 05:34, 22 December 2018
Previously: State Opera House, The Grand Opera House | |
 The Opera House on Manners Street, Wellington. | |
 | |
| Address | 111–113 Manners Street Wellington New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°17′29″S 174°46′40″E / 41.2915°S 174.7778°E |
| Designation | NZHPT classification I |
| Type | Opera House |
| Capacity | 1381 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1914 |
| Architect | William Pitt |
| Website | |
| Venues Wellington: The Opera House | |
| Designated | 27 June 1985 |
| Reference no. | 1432 |
The Opera House is a proscenium theatre in Wellington, New Zealand, located on Manners Street opposite Te Aro Park.
History
Construction work on the building began in 1911, and was originally named The Grand Opera House in May 1913 with a plan to open early on Boxing Night that year.[1] The principal architect William Pitt was based in Melbourne, Australia, and much of the work was overseen by Wellington architect Albert Liddy.[2] The opera house finally opened on Easter Saturday of 12 April 1914 to an evening performance by the American Burlesque Company, with a full seating capacity of 2141 in three levels of stalls, dress circle and gallery, including 50 box seats.[3] The original seating upholstery was made and installed by the Wellington company Kirkcaldie & Stains, and the interior features fine plaster moldings and ornate dome.[1] The building was designed with brick masonry outer walls with wooden floors and a timber-framed roof.
In 1977 it was restored with funding from the New Zealand insurance company State Insurance, and for many years it was known as the State Opera House.[4]
In the 1990s and early 2000s the building was operated by the St James Theatre Trust, which ran the nearby St James Theatre. In July 2011 Positively Wellington Venues, an integration between the Wellington Convention Centre and the St James Theatre Trust, began managing the theatre under the new name of The Opera House along with five other venues in the capital city. In October 2012 it was announced that the Opera House was an earthquake risk and would possibly have to close.[5] By the end of 2016, funding from Wellington City Council and the Performing Arts Foundation of Wellington had strengthened and restored the building to sufficient code to continue to be open to the public.[6] The refit also included an award-winning restoration of its original interior features, by a local architect and 14 painters and artists.[7]
The Opera House was used for the theatre scenes in Peter Jackson's 2005 film King Kong.[8]
References
- Kernohoran, David, Wellington's Old Buildings, Victoria University Press, 1994, ISBN 0-86473-267-8 (page 131)
- "Opera House". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand.
- ^ a b "New Theatre Named". Dominion. Vol. 6, no. 1754. 20 May 1913. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
- ^ "Grand Opera House". Evening Post. Vol. 87, no. 61. 13 March 1914. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
- ^ "The Stage". Wairarapa Daily Times. Vol. 66, no. 11927. 14 March 1914. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
- ^ McConnell, Rhiannon (10 February 2016). "Opera House Lane's dark days". The Wellingtonian. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
- ^ Jackman, Amy (11 October 2012). "Opera House may close". The Wellingtonian. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 2018-06-26.
- ^ Jackman, Amy (23 October 2014). "Quake risk building's $1m upgrade". The Wellingtonian. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
- ^ Flahive, Brad (10 October 2016). "Wellington Opera House restoration recognised with award for its use of colour". Stuff. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
- ^ Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency. "King Kong – where versatility was key". wellingtonnz.com. Retrieved 2018-06-26.
External links
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