A Love Letter to The Opera House in Toronto
Today, we are introducing a new feature series, "Love Letter," highlighting our favourite concert venues in Toronto and what makes them so unique (according to us).
Up first, we're featuring The Opera House, the iconic east-end venue steeped in music history.
For over 30 years, The Opera House has hosted legendary performances from up-and-coming acts to festival headliners. Did you know that Nirvana performed at The Opera House? How about Foo Fighters, The Killers, Eminem, and, in the not-so-distant past, Metallica?!
The Opera House has been up and running as a concert venue since 1989, but its origins date back to its official opening in 1909 as the La Plaza Theatre, designed by architect Charles Wagner. In those early days, the main attraction at La Plaza Theatre was Vaudeville theatrical acts, which evolved into cinema as technologies advanced and were adopted.
From 1989 to 2023, the venue was a family-run business led by Athena Ellinas-Towers, her brother Gus and younger brother Chris Ellinas. Athena named the venue The Opera House after they took over the building, which took inspiration from its past and architecture.
Even after Live Nation Canada acquired the venue in 2023, family members still work and operate the space (shout out to Jessica for hooking us up with access).
Out of pure love, we wanted to do three things: make a video that tells a bit of our personal story about why we love the venue so much, capture photos of the space to show off some of its iconic architecture and interior decor, and remember some of our favourite moments that we've experienced at The Opera House over the past 14 years for Beyond the Watch.
Check it out below, and cheers to everyone who has and will continue to keep the legacy of this venue alive, thriving, and head-banging.
THE SPACE
THE EXPERIENCE
THE EXPERIENCE
Words/Photography by: Steve St. Jean
Sources: Riverside BIA and The Archives of Ontario
