The Opera House is the cultural reason Central City exists as anything more than a casino strip, and during the summer festival (typically July and early August) the town fills with opera-goers from Denver and beyond. The repertoire mixes warhorses with American premieres, and the resident young-artist programme has launched a long list of professional careers.
The building was hand-built in stone by Cornish miners, and the lobby retains the original frescoes painted by John C. Massman. Tours run in the off-season; even without a performance, it is worth a quick look from the outside. Festival tickets often sell out well in advance.