As we embark on our 2011-2012 season, we here at City Opera thought it would be fun to take a look at some of the exciting new venues in which we'll perform.  First up: El Teatro Theater at El Museo Del Barrio, the charming Upper East Side theater which will house our new production of Telemann's Orpheus.

 

This 599-seat venue, considered one of the "hidden gems" of the Manhattan theater scene, is nestled right on the northeastern corridor of Central Park. Designed in 1921 by Architects Maynicke and Frank, El Teatro, formerly known as the Heckscher Theater was founded in 1924.  The theater's history includes prominence in the 1930s as a home to many Broadway tryouts.  It was also the original location for the Joseph Papp New York Shakespeare Festival, now housed at Central Park's Delacorte Theater.

 

The theater is covered in a remarkable series of 30ft murals, giving it the grand distinction of being honored as a Landmark Quality Venue by the Municipal Arts Society and the City of New York Arts Commission.  The murals, entitled Scenes for Children's Literature, were created by Willy Pogany (1882-1955).  They feature scenes from legedary fairy tales like Jack and the Beanstalk, Hansel and Gretel, and Cinderella.

 

 

Get acquainted with the theater at Museo Del Barrio, and check out the pictures below.

 

 

 

For more information about this historic theater or New York City Opera's upcoming seasons, visit us online at nycopera.com.