Napa Valley Opera House, Napa Travel Guide

The Napa Valley Opera House, located at 1030 Main Street in Napa, California, is a historic multi-venue performance space that has been captivating audiences since its opening on February 13, 1880. The inaugural performance was Gilbert and Sullivan's HMS Pinafore. Designed in the Italianate style by Newsom and Newsom, renowned architects of the 19th century, the Opera House stands as a testament to Napa's rich artistic heritage.Originally, the building housed stores and restaurants on the first floor, with the stage occupying the second and third floors. The auditorium's flat floor was uniquely designed to accommodate local dances and pageants. During the height of vaudeville, the Opera House flourished, hosting a variety of music and variety acts. Notable figures such as John L. Sullivan and John Philip Sousa graced its stage. In 1905, Luisa Tetrazzini performed, and Jack London read from his works.After enduring damage from the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and facing the decline of vaudeville, the theater closed in 1914. For many decades, the building was used for various commercial purposes, including serving as an armory during World War I and later as a storage loft. However, the Napa Valley Opera House was added to the National Register of Historic Places and revitalized in 2016 with the opening of two distinct music venues within the building. Today, the Opera House is home to Blue Note Napa, an intimate 150-seat jazz club, and JaM Cellars Ballroom, a larger venue hosting diverse musical acts. Together, these venues present over 300 shows annually, attracting both local audiences and international visitors.