SF - Opera House

SF - Opera House

Not limited to opera lovers, the Opera House is home to both the San Francisco Opera and the San Francisco Ballet and played host to the San Francisco Symphony until 1980 (upon the opening of Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall at 201 Van Ness). Vaulted ceilings and marble floors beckon visitors to the interior. National attention was focused on the Opera House after a cover story by TIME magazine in 1932 declared “the new Opera House to be dedicated this week, is easily the most attractive and practical building of its kind in the U.S….”

Since the opening arias of Puccini's “Tosca,” the nation's first municipally built, owned and operated Opera House has seen an endless number of opera greats raise the roof in song. Everyone who is anyone in the opera world has performed here and regularly continue to do so. This venue too, has political significance. Most of the plenary sessions leading up to the signing of the United Nations Charter took place here and the Japanese Peace Treaty was signed in the Opera House in 1951.

More information
There are regularly scheduled docent led tours of the Opera House, explaining the architecture, new improvements, colorful history and performance highlights.
Call PAC Tours at 552-8338 for an insider's look at the backstage areas, wig and make up departments.

Address / Phone
301 Van Ness Avenue
Ph. 510-524-5220

Admission
Tours are held only during the opera season and begin at 10:00 am.