Sterling Opera House, Opera house in Derby, Connecticut.
The Sterling Opera House features Italianate Victorian architecture with sweeping balconies, bottle glass windows, keystone arches, and wrought iron decorations throughout the building.
The theater opened in 1889, named after Charles Sterling, and became the first structure in Connecticut listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1968.
Notable performers at Sterling Opera House included Harry Houdini, Amelia Earhart, Lionel Barrymore, John Philip Sousa, and filmmaker D.W. Griffith between 1889 and 1945.
Located at 116 Elizabeth Street across from Derby Green, the building remains closed to the public except for scheduled Halloween season tours.
The theater's seating arrangement followed Richard Wagner's design principles, providing clear views of the stage and exceptional acoustics comparable to Metropolitan Opera House.
Location: Connecticut
GPS coordinates: 41.32167,-73.09000
Latest update: September 23, 2025 14:24
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