The Civic Opera House

Address: 20 N. Wacker Dr.

Year Built: 1927-29

Architect: Graham, Anderson, Probst & White

Date Designated a Chicago Landmark:

February 5, 1998

The Civic Opera Building, on the east bank of the Chicago River between Washington and Madison streets, is the permanent home of Lyric Opera of Chicago. Its 3,563-seat capacity makes it the second-largest opera auditorium in North America.

The season runs from mid-September until late February, as well as a few other

large-scale peformances. From its opening on Nov. 4, 1929 (just six days after the stock-market crash) until Lyric Opera of Chicago was founded in 1954 (as Lyric Theatre), the Civic Opera House was home to the Chicago Civic Opera, Chicago Grand Opera Company, Chicago City Opera Company and Chicago Opera Company.

In 1993, Lyric Opera of Chicago purchased all of the theater and backstage space in the Civic Opera Building. A massive $100-million renovation of the backstage area commenced in 1993, and continued during Lyric's off-seasons (mid-March through early September) through 1996.

Such goings on would tend to continue in the mortal world, while deep within the cellars and lower chambers of the Civic Opera House where props and costume were ususally stored; another world was prominent. The kindred of the City of Chicago dwelled there quite frequently, Some time ago; Prince Farragut had declared the Opera House, an Elysium where his citizens could gather safely and be entertained by the productions proceeding above.

It was not an uncommon practice for kindred to mingle without being noticed among the mortal society, securing box seats (usually though a secondary descrete party, perhaps a ghoul); in order to enjoy the feature performace of the evening. Such practices have gone on for centuries in Europe by the kindred who existed there.. In Chicago; all the world may be a stage, but there is nothing so grand as the Civic Opera House.

The Civic Opera House is located in the Southern Regency.

Princely decree

Ordo Dracul