Case Statement
About the Napa Valley Opera House
A Rich History
Success on Stage and Behind the Curtain
Funding Needs
About the Napa Valley Opera House
The Napa Valley Opera House (NVOH) is a non-profit performing arts organization located in the heart of downtown Napa and is a national historic landmark first opened in 1880 (click here to learn more about our history). NVOH restored the intimate second-floor, 480-seat Margrit Biever Mondavi Theatre seven years ago after 30 years of planning. Patrons experience a diverse array of performing arts including theatre, dance, classical/chamber music, opera, comedy, jazz, blues, world music and family programming in a world-class setting.
Organization Mission
The Napa Valley Opera House enriches the cultural experience of a diverse community—offering distinctive performing arts while preserving a unique historic theatre.
Napa Valley Opera House: A Rich History
1880 - Grand opening party on January 9. First performance February 13 with Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore.
1900 - NVOH thrives with vaudeville acts, opera, public meetings and concerts.
1906 - San Francisco earthquake causes damages and NVOH faces a decline in attendance due to the popularity of movies and automobiles.
1914 - NVOH closes its doors to the public for almost 90 years. During that time, theatre serves as an armory and warehouse.
1973 - After decades of neglect, NVOH is designated on National
Register of Historic Places
1985 - Napa Valley Opera House, Inc. formed as non-profit organization to raise capital funds and purchase building.
1997 - Robert and Margrit Biever Mondavi issue $2.2 million challenge bringing the Opera House vision to the forefront of the community. Façade and stage restored to original glory.
2003 - Grand re-opening gala features performance by Rita Moreno and run of H.M.S. Pinafore.
2010 - NVOH commemorates 130 years since first opening its doors with a series of performances and events celebrating a rich history of imagination, renovation and artistic excellence. NVOH is now the premier location in the Napa Valley for world-class theatre, music and family programming, attracting more than 35,000 patrons per year with 90+ performances and events.
Napa Valley Opera House: Success on Stage and Behind the Curtain
Strong sales and performance revenueSales of recent performances have been strong, meeting or surpassing expectations despite a challenging economy.
Diverse programming attracts broad audiences
From Willie Nelson to the Duke Ellington Orchestra, The Wallflowers to Béla Fleck, Opera House audiences are offered a wide array of performances designed to broaden horizons and attract a variety of arts patrons from throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
Affordable tickets lead to increased accessibility
Community Access Program (CAP) partners, including Target, Beringer Vineyards and the Napa Valley Opera House League provide supplementary funding for specific performances, allowing the Opera House to price tickets more affordably.
Thriving local businesses and restaurants
The Opera House has attracted a diverse group of more than 154,000 visitors since re-opening in 2003. These patrons choose local restaurants, hotels and retail establishments when attending an Opera House performance, contributing to the economic vitality of the Napa Valley.
Community involvement supports non-profits
NVOH provides low-cost meeting and performance space for non-profit organizations including the Napa Chamber, Friends of Hispanic Network, Arts Council, Downtown Association, NVEDC, Napa Valley Coalition of Nonprofit Agencies, Napa Valley College, Oxbow and Blue Oak School, among others.
Napa Valley Opera House: Funding Needs
The intimate, historic Napa Valley Opera House stands out as the Valley’s premier performing arts venue. As a non-profit organization, the Opera House does not receive any public funding and needs your support to continue to bring world-class programming in the exemplary fashion to which audiences have grown accustomed.
Performance revenues cover artist fees and specific performance-related costs. Additional funding is required to address all other production, promotion, box office, and operating expenses.
COST: $500,000
Upkeep of the historic 130-year old Opera House – placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior.
COST: $140,000
Delivery of youth-targeted educational workshops, performances and programs that enliven cultural awareness and enrichment.
COST: $45,000
Community outreach programs to under-served audiences, enabling disadvantaged youth, families and senior citizens to attend – at a free or reduced price – a variety of performances and
programs that may not be otherwise affordable.
COST: $19,000
Preferred access to Opera House facilities by community non-profit organizations.
COST: $12,000
Please contact President Bob Almeida to discuss the ways you can show your support to the Opera House.
Phone: 707.603.2331
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it