Italian opera it reached the republic of Venice. It was here that the first public opera house, the Teatro di San Cassiano, was opened in 1637 by Benedetto Ferrari and Francesco Manelli. Its success moved opera away from aristocratic patronage and into the commercial world. In Venice, musical drama was no longer aimed at an elite of aristocrats and intellectuals and acquired the character of entertainment. Soon many other opera houses had sprung up in the city, performing works for a paying public during the Carnival season. The opera houses employed a very small orchestra to save money. A large part of
Ellie Caulkins Opera House the world of opera. Opera Colorado's first season in the new opera house opened on November 3, 2005 with a production of "Carmen" starring internationally known mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves in the title role. The historic shell of the old Auditorium Theatre was rebuilt and named the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, honoring "Denver's First Lady of Opera". The architect of record, Semple Brown Design, created the performance space, described as "three tiers of balconies curve like lyres; uninterrupted sight lines from every seat focus viewers onto a deep, wide stage... Sleek staircases and flying bridges pull patrons into the hall. Ellie