Central City Opera House Association (Central City, Colo.)

Non-profit organization founded in 1931 to manage and preserve the Central City Opera House located in Central City, Colo. and to direct annual summer opera festivals. Heirs of Peter McFarlane, who owned the Opera House prior to 1931, donated the building to the University of Denver in 1931. The Association held the Central City Play Festival from 1932-1942 and from 1946-1970. Performances included the premieres of The Ballad of Baby Doe (1956) and Lady from Colorado (1964). The Opera House, Teller House and other Central City properties are part of the organization. The Central City Opera Festival commissioned five original operas. The University of Denver transferred its Central City real estate holdings to the Association in 1982.

From the description of Central City Opera House Association records, 1931-1977. (University of Denver, Penrose Library). WorldCat record id: 568765039

A note in the 1976 brochure mentions that "The Central City Opera House Association is associated with the University of Denver (Colorado Seminary) and is a member of Opera America."

From the description of Central City Play Festival (Colo.) brochures 1934-1976. 1934-1976. (Boulder Public Library). WorldCat record id: 427307014