War Memorial Opera House

The War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco is a historic and iconic venue that opened its doors on October 15, 1932. Designed by architects Arthur Brown Jr. and G. Albert Lansburgh, the opera house is part of the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center. It is located on the western side of Van Ness Avenue, across from the San Francisco City Hall.

The War Memorial Opera House was built to commemorate those who served in World War I. Its architectural style is a blend of Beaux-Arts and Roman Doric, featuring a colonnade of paired columns and colossal arch-headed windows. The interior boasts a grand entrance hall with a high barrel-vaulted and coffered ceiling, as well as a massive aluminum and glass panel chandelier under a blue vault.

The inaugural performance at the opera house was Giacomo Puccini's "Tosca," performed by the San Francisco Opera. The venue has since been home to the San Francisco Opera and the San Francisco Ballet, hosting numerous performances and events over the years.