The History of the Napa Valley Opera House: Celebrating 130 years in 2010

In 1879, construction of the grand Napa Valley Opera House was completed. There were hopes for it to open before the end of that year, however it officially opened with a grand ball in January 1880, The first performance in the main theatre was Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera H.M.S. Pinafore and, by 1900, the theatre was filled almost every night with vaudeville acts, light opera, public meetings, concerts and high school graduations.

The Italian-style exterior beckoned patrons inside the theatre that featured an illustrated curtain, a painted proscenium and a majestic 24-light chandelier.  A spectacular curved staircase led to the balcony, with unobstructed views of the stage below.

Rather than calling it a theatre, owner G.W. Crowley preferred to call the building an “Opera House” making his venue more refined than burlesque stages of the time.  Removable wooden benches made the auditorium suitable for traveling theater troupes, temperance rallies or masquerades of up to 1,350 people.

Early performances included a 1905 reading by author Jack London, John Philip Sousa’s band and an appearance by boxing champion John L. Sullivan.

Soon after the 1906 earthquake wreaked its damage, movies became the preferred entertainment—replacing vaudeville­— and automobiles gave audiences more choices for entertainment “further up the road.”  In 1914, the Opera House went dark, although it was used briefly as an armory and a rug-cleaning warehouse.

Neglected for more than 60 years, the Opera House was saved from demolition by being designated on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.  Artist Veronica di Rosa, along with historic preservationists John Whitridge III and Thomas Thornley, helped save the once-proud building.

By 1985, Napa Valley Opera House, Inc. was formed as a nonprofit organization to raise capital funds and buy the building.  And Robert Mondavi and Margrit Biever Mondavi issued a $2.2 million challenge in 1997 that brought the Opera House vision to the forefront.

The building’s façade and stage were restored to their former glory, opening in 2003 with a gala performance by Rita Moreno and a re-opening run of H.M.S. Pinafore.

Help us Celebrate our 130th Anniversary

The Napa Valley Opera House celebrates its 130th anniversary in 2009-2010. Construction on the building was completed in 1879, and the theatre officially opened with a grand ball in January 1880. Please check back for information about commemorative activities scheduled beginning in September 2009! For more information, please e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Napa Valley Opera House Historic Timeline (PDF)