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Tibbits Opera House is the second-oldest theatre in Michigan, having been built in 1882. Rich in history and ambiance, even today the theatre offers theatre-goers nearly perfect acoustics, an intimate 499-seat setting, and a fine array of performances throughout the year. Barton S. Tibbits originally built the opera house with wisdom and vision. The aim was high art, timeless architecture, excellent acoustics, splendid furnishing and the finest of entertainment. Tibbits put Coldwater on the map as one of the few small cities in the nation with a social and cultural center of such grandeur. Thanks to the forward-thinking individuals who saved the opera house from destruction in the 1960s, the citizens of Branch County still have the opportunity to experience the opera house and the cultural activities valued so highly by its early residents.
Preserved in the edition of September 19, 1882 of the Coldwater Republican newspaper is a richly detailed account of the building's physical description. From surviving photos and valuable accounts like these, we can re-imagine the experience of the original theatre patron. When Tibbits Opera House first opened, such a patron would have found the theatre to be nothing less than an architectural masterpiece.
A patron's first experience of the theatre would have been his breathtaking view of the building's façade. With its French "Second Empire" architectural design, the building was adorned with a 24-foot (7.3 m)-tall, slate-covered cupola with a flag staff mounted with a golden eagle statue. The tip of the dome itself towered 76 feet (23 m) above the pavement below. At the base of the cupola, one could behold an elegant bronze bust of Shakespeare, and below this still, inscribed in an arch above the front window was "Tibbits Opera-House, 1882", in gold leaf. The face itself consisted of iron work, red and black brick, and cut stone "united in excellent taste." Three large windows allowed the glow of the sun to fill the theatre lobby, and below the middle window was an iron balcony furnished with glass globe lanterns.
As a patron entered the front doors, he would have found himself in a lobby with two stairwells leading up to the balcony, a manager's office, and a smoking room. Upon stepping through the terracotta leather covered and gold trimmed wooden doors into the auditorium, a patron would have been softly bathed in the shimmering glow of 94 gas lights. These lights, were crafted of polished brass and fitted with etched glass globes. The stage itself was equipped with 174 gas lights. All the lights in the entire theatre were controlled from the stage by means of a pipe system, allowing the stage manager to ignite or extinguish any or all of these brilliant lights in an instant. Beneath a dome resplendent with painted cherubs, a large chandelier, known as an "Opal glass reflector", scattered sparkles of reflected light over all. Elegant red Brussels' carpet softened patrons' steps, and grand opera chairs, upholstered in dark Cardinal plush awaited to seat them. These chairs were engraved with the monogram, B.S.T., Barton Tibbits' initials, and many of these chairs offered foot rests and hat and umbrella racks. Amazingly the auditorium originally held 1,000 seats for patrons. The seating area was divided into the parquet and the parquet circle – two separate areas on the floor in front of the orchestra pit. The walls of the auditorium, colored in cameo tints and dashes of cardinal, green, and gold color in "conventional figures" produced "a warm, sunny effect and [gave] the auditorium a bright and airy appearance which is very pleasing." Dominating the scene was a grandly ornate 34-foot (10 m)-wide by 53-foot (16 m)-long proscenium stage with elegant opera boxes situated within the massive tin and plaster arch.
The stage itself had all the latest technological features. Scenery and curtains were shifted and moved via the rigging loft, and the stage itself included a "paint-bridge and movable frame, five sets of grooves, trapdoors, and every modern convenience for producing all kinds of scenic effects." Additionally, speaking tubes and bell signals connected the stage manager with the box office, orchestra, and scene and trap shifters. The stage's collection of scenic backdrops was exhaustive and of the highest quality, and was a third larger than the Kalamazoo Opera House.
The boxes were draped with cardinal silk plush curtains, lined with gold, and trimmed with lace. In the center of the proscenium arch one beheld a portrait of William Shakespeare and above this portrait against a light-blue background was "a group of cherubs, gracefully posed, representing music and the drama." Surrounding the main chandelier in the auditorium were more "cunning little cherubs" trailing garlands of flowers. In the words of the Coldwater Republican, "The delicate coloring of the background brings out the figures in strong relief so one may almost imagine them floating in space and inhale the odor of their fragrant burden." The cove around the auditorium also was decorated with "vases of flowers, bouquets and conventional vines and figures." L. B. Chevelier, who painted many of the stage's backdrops, was the artistic genius behind such beautiful creations.
Regarding the beauty and workmanship of the theatre, Carolyn Gillespie has observed that "Tibbits was easily as elegant as the Second Olympic Theatre which was completed in St. Louis that same year." Elegance was paired with superb acoustics in the rendering of the stage and auditorium, and all in all, ironically the best visual description is perhaps given by the Republican: "It is impossible to give a description of the decorations which will convey an adequate idea of their beauty. They must be seen in order to be appreciated." Unfortunately for the modern patron, such an opportunity has long since died.
Currently 6/16/2016
The City of Coldwater is upgrading South Hanchett Street and Tibbits Plaza in keeping with our beautiful historic building. Work is currently being done on both the street and parking lot in front of the theatre.
The Valencia Opera House (Palau de lese Arts Reina Sofia) was the last amazing creation of the Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava.
This stunning building sparkles in the sunlight and is shaped like the helmet of an ancient goddess.
Considered to be the largest opera house in Europe, Palau de les Arts has a seating capacity of 4,400 and was officially opened in October 2005.
The beautiful Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía cost 250 million euros and only the Sydney Opera House surpases it with a larger seating capacity.
The opera house contains the most modern technology and open-air auditoriums for theater, opera and concerts. There are four different halls - the main hall, master room, amphitheatre and chamber theatre.
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Boom Crash Opera
I always name my images after songs, but this time I've made a slight change. There was a well know band here in Oz during the 80s and early 90s called Boom Crash Opera. I just couldn't resist naming this Long Exposure shot after them. I waited and waited looking through the viewfinder until the rear of the Queen Mary looked like it was just about came in contact with the front sail of the Opera House. I think I timed it pretty well, and this is the final image, processed in B&W with just a hint of colour. Hope you like it...Mike
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Armenian National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet after Alexander Spendiarian (Armenian: Ալեքսանդր Սպենդիարյանի անվան օպերայի և բալետի ազգային ակադեմիական թատրոն) in Yerevan was officially opened on 20 January 1933. The building was designed by the Armenian architect Alexander Tamanian. The building consists of two concert halls: Aram Khatchaturian concert hall and the hall of the Alexander Spendiarian Opera and Ballet National Theatre.
The Opera.
Permeating in the inner most part of the soul,
a sacred unassailable dream,
flowing with every note,
until you get carried away,
with the pains,
the joys of man kind,
every octave,
is hit upon,
extracted,
and squeezed,
until the senses can't take no more,
gleaming bright from the upper lights,
this night shall always sing towards Padua,
as the artist takes his leave,
tips his hat to all,
then gets to work,
on all that inspired him,
from within the stage of,
The Opera.
Steve.D.Hammond.
Opera Bar at the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House. Could not believe the amount of people out drinking on a tuesday night.
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Źródło: HRS Poland - Wrocław
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AFFICHE D'OPERA
I must say I am so fed up with this opera that I just put a link for you to see the dance.......
Opéra, Lyon, Novembre 2011.
Photoshooting realised for a company in order to obtain pictures which represented Lyon. These one was not selected but this work gave me the opportunity to have an other eye on the city.
The Opera is a very nice place for long time exposure (30s for this one) and the 10-24 is really nice for building captures (it just add a small distortion)
Realised with my NIKON D7000 and a 10 -24mm. ISO 100, F/14 and 30 seconds
Fav and comments are welcome.
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© 2011 Quentin Lebourgeois - You may NOT take or use my pictures without my permission. Even if the photos are available on a public place, you are not supposed to use / post / modify or copy it in any way. All rights reserved.