Kiel Opera House

Kiel Opera House is a historic theater and music venue located in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. The building has hosted a wide range of performances, including opera, ballet, and rock concerts, featuring famous artists such as The Rolling Stones, The Who, and Elton John. It has also been the home of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and has hosted various events, including Missouri gubernatorial debates and presidential campaign rallies, with notable attendees like Harry S. Truman and John F. Kennedy. The Kiel Opera House has been recognized for its historical significance, being listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a St. Louis Landmark by the City of St. Louis.

History

The Kiel Opera House was built in the 1930s as part of a larger civic center complex, which included the Kiel Auditorium and the St. Louis City Hall. The building was designed by prominent architects Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum and Sverdrup & Parcel, who also designed other notable buildings in St. Louis, such as the Gateway Arch and the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. The opera house was constructed during the Great Depression, with funding provided by the Works Progress Administration and the Federal Theatre Project, which also supported other notable projects, including the Federal Art Project and the Civilian Conservation Corps. The building was named after Henry Kiel, a St. Louis businessman and philanthropist who donated funds for its construction, and has been associated with other notable figures, including Charles Lindbergh and Walt Disney.

Architecture and design

The Kiel Opera House features a unique blend of Art Deco and Streamline Moderne architectural styles, with a striking facade and a grand lobby designed by Edward F. Stevens. The building's design was influenced by other notable theaters and music venues, such as the Radio City Music Hall in New York City and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, and has been compared to other famous buildings, including the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building. The opera house has a seating capacity of over 3,000 and features a large stage and orchestra pit, making it an ideal venue for a wide range of performances, from opera and ballet to rock concerts and comedy shows, featuring famous performers like Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and The Beatles. The building's design has been recognized for its historical significance, being listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a St. Louis Landmark by the City of St. Louis, along with other notable landmarks, including the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis and the City Museum.

Notable events and performances

The Kiel Opera House has hosted a wide range of notable events and performances over the years, including concerts by famous musicians like The Rolling Stones, The Who, and Elton John, as well as opera and ballet performances by companies like the Metropolitan Opera and the New York City Ballet. The building has also been the site of various conventions and conferences, including the Democratic National Convention and the Republican National Convention, which have featured notable speakers like John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. Additionally, the opera house has hosted numerous awards shows and ceremonies, including the Grammy Awards and the Tony Awards, which have honored famous artists like Bob Dylan and Stephen Sondheim. The building has also been used as a film location for several movies and television shows, including Meet Me in St. Louis and The Twilight Zone, which have featured notable actors like Judy Garland and Rod Serling.

Renovation and reopening

In the 1990s, the Kiel Opera House underwent a major renovation project, which included the restoration of the building's original facade and lobby, as well as the installation of new seating and sound systems. The renovation was funded by a combination of public and private funds, including grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Missouri Arts Council, which have also supported other notable projects, including the Gateway Arch and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. The opera house reopened in 1996 with a concert by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, featuring famous musicians like Itzhak Perlman and Yo-Yo Ma. Since then, the building has continued to host a wide range of performances and events, including concerts by famous musicians like Bruce Springsteen and Lady Gaga, as well as opera and ballet performances by companies like the San Francisco Opera and the American Ballet Theatre.

Naming and name changes

The Kiel Opera House was originally known as the Municipal Opera House when it opened in 1934, but was later renamed in honor of Henry Kiel, a St. Louis businessman and philanthropist who donated funds for its construction. Over the years, the building has been known by several other names, including the Kiel Auditorium and the St. Louis Theatre, but has retained its original name and historic significance, being recognized as a St. Louis Landmark by the City of St. Louis and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, along with other notable landmarks, including the Arch and the City Hall. The building's name has been associated with other notable figures, including Charles Lindbergh and Walt Disney, and has been featured in various media outlets, including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.