The CCP Encyclopedia described The Manila Grand Opera House the most famous theater of the 1900s. It was invariably the choice venue by performing companies, local or foreign.
The Opera House — with its fine acoustic, said to be the best in the Orient at that time — presented operas, ballets, dramas (both Tagalog and Spanish), zarzuelas, vodavil, literary-musical shows.
On Oct. 16, 1921, the Opera House was the venue for the welcome ceremonies for the American governor general, Leonard C. Wood, and the members of the Philippine Legislature and the Manila press.
Much earlier, in 1902, the structure of the Opera House was changed by L. Balzofiore in 59 days in time for the visiting ‘Compania de Opera Italiana.’ The result was a spacious, horseshoe-shaped venue, with seats for dignitaries, theater-goers and the low-paying public.
In 1947, the Opera House was reconstructed to adjust to the new form of entertainment: Movies and stage shows. It was billed A Theater with a History.
In the ’50s, this columnist remembers watching the likes of Pilita Corrales, Elizabeth Ramsey, Bayani Casimiro, Bobby Gonzales, Gloria Selga, Mercy Oria, among many others, at the Opera House.
Even Gloria Romero, who played the Blessed Mother in Martir sa Golgota.
But that is another story. —RKC