Delaware’s Grand Opera House

Larger than life: Art that inspires us through the ages

Famed 19th-century architect Thomas Dixon was inspired by the design of the Paris Opera House, which shows off a French Second Empire style, an eclectic compilation of different architectural elements from various time periods. The building's façade impresses with its various arches, Masonic symbols—especially the eye of providence—as well as Corinthian columns, dentil molding adornment, and much more. (Courtesy TheGrandWilmington)

In 1871, the amount needed to build the Grand Opera House was grand indeed—$100,000. The interior and exterior of the four-story building were nothing like the residents of Wilmington, Delaware, had ever experienced. Baltimore architect Thomas Dixon designed the building to sport a French Second Empire style, while Royer Brothers of Philadelphia (a 19th-century architectural ironworks foundry) erected the ornate, Italianate cast-iron façade.

The Grand Opera House auditorium—seating more than 1,400—was considered the third-largest stage in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Recently reconfigured to accommodate 1,208 people, the auditorium is accessible after one enters the building’s main doors and traverses a narrow hall. Meeting and conference rooms are part of the building’s interior, but the auditorium is by far the largest space, with its colorful painted ceiling as the focal point.

Thousands of performers—from Buffalo Bill Cody to John Philip Sousa—have graced the wide stage, and countless patrons over the years have viewed practically every type of entertainment, including operas, symphonies, minstrel shows, and exhibitions. The Grand, as it’s also known, became a movie house in 1909 and remained so until the late 1960s, when it was opened again for various performances. It was renovated in the early 1970s, and each year, it schedules as many as 80 shows, which range from music to dance to theater to comedy. Visitors can step back in time and enjoy the grandiosity of the space.

The main entryway of the Grand Opera House evokes a bygone era with decorative solid wood doors featuring its name etched into the glass, as well as highly distinct, painted cast-iron double columns. (Courtesy of TheGrandWilmington)

Once inside the doors, guests are treated to an architectural look that mirrors what was established outside in 1871. The curved box office features faux columns, arched ticket windows, and the same glass-globe brass chandeliers that are present in the main auditorium. Performance posters are featured in glassed, corniced cases. (Courtesy of TheGrandWilmington)

What performers view from the stage is a treat for the eyes: seating for 1,208 patrons, slender decorative columns supporting a lavish second-tier railing, and a richly hued and impressively painted ceiling. (Courtesy of TheGrandWilmington)

Originally, the auditorium was lit by gaslights; these electric glass globe and brass chandeliers are replicas. The curved walnut railings, painted stage frame, and classic red curtain provide guests with a true old-style opera house experience. While two especially large Victorian-style seating boxes once graced either side of the stage (for affluent patrons and dignitaries), they were removed during a 1970s renovation to allow for a more open stage experience. (Courtesy of TheGrandWilmington)

Seated in the Upper Balcony, an audience member can take in the expanse of the ceiling, the chandeliers, and a bird's-eye view of the stage. (Courtesy of TheGrandWilmington)

Artists and fresco painters during the late 1800s, Charles and William Kehrwieder of Philadelphia (known as the Kehrwieder Brothers) completed the original ceiling in the Grand Opera House, but it was eventually traced and repainted in a more fire-resistant manner by Nolan Scenery Studios of Brooklyn, N.Y. Depicted in the art are mythical goddesses who keep a watchful eye on the performers and attendees inside the auditorium. The blue background dome of stars suggests the heavens. (Courtesy of TheGrandWilmington)

While the grandiosity of the auditorium embraces classical elements and honors the space’s historic architecture, the stage lighting, sound, and special effects are entirely high-tech and modern. Yet, these modern elements are tucked behind the main seating and situated in such a way that they are as inconspicuous as possible. (Courtesy of TheGrandWilmington)

Juxtaposed with modern architecture, the Grand Opera House displays impressive ornamentation with its classical-style pediments and corbels, all crafted by hand. The contrast of the clean-lined contemporary buildings surrounding it further help to make it a stand out on Market Street in Wilmington, Delaware. (Courtesy of TheGrandWilmington)

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