Why go
War Memorial Opera House is defined by the form, materials, and setting of War Memorial Opera House. Another layer comes from the sightlines that connect War Memorial Opera House with its surroundings. Plan War Memorial Opera House by remembering to confirm public access to War Memorial Opera House and local conditions.
What to look for
- Look closely at the form, materials, and setting of War Memorial Opera House.
- Notice the sightlines that connect War Memorial Opera House with its surroundings.
The full story
The War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, California is located on the western side of Van Ness Avenue across from the rear facade of City Hall. It is part of the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center. It has been the home of the San Francisco Opera since opening night in 1932. Completed in 1932,it is one of the last Beaux-Arts structures erected in the United States and employs the classic Roman Doric order in a reserved and sober form appropriate to its function commemorating all those who served in World War I. A colonnade of paired columns screens colossal arch-headed windows above a severe rusticated basement, a scheme that owes something to Claude Perrault's severe East front of the Louvre. The theater space is dominated by a massive aluminum and glass panel chandelier under a blue vault, and the proscenium arch is decorated with gilded figurative sculpture. The theater has 3,146 seats plus standing room for 200 behind the orchestra and balcony sections. This is smaller than the Metropolitan Opera and the Chicago Lyric Opera (3500 seats), but it follows the trend of larger capacity in American opera houses than the main European opera houses of the 19th century (Paris Opera Garnier 2200, Royal Opera House London 2268, Vienna State Opera 2280, and La Scala 2800).
Useful to know
- For War Memorial Opera House, confirm public access to War Memorial Opera House and local conditions.
- Pair War Memorial Opera House with a geographic companion near War Memorial Opera House when the route and opening conditions align.
Your next visit
Estimated · Declared scenario and planning estimates; no live opening, weather, queue or booking service.
Outdoor visit · 30–45 min
World planning estimate; admission, opening, visit duration and access need checking.