Peabody Opera House Opening Night

This is reopening night of the restored Kiel Opera House, re-named Peabody. . New implys-New. It is not new. There is almost a manic need to erase what Henry Kiel did for this City which was pretty much ‘make it a city’ during the most difficult times. What is important is that this City, with not a sport team in sight, was alive from Skinker to Broadway. This is the power of the live arts. Now-ome classical music, and Larry Williams-start on the parking garage.

I’m sorry. Allow me one more correction: It was opened in 1934 as the opera house in the Saint Louis Municipal Auditorium. It was named Kiel after the passing of the three term mayor and builder in 1943. The opera house was completed first and hosted the 61 shows,concerts, festivals and events over the opening two weeks. They were a combination of St. Louis on parade, the National Folk Festivals and 5 grand opera productions with stars and conductor from the MET, large St. Louis choruses and
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra members in the pit. I am not sure if any activities were held in the convention hall and its assembly rooms. I think so, but not sure. I offered to give the media hour background sessions and they said they ‘didnt need’ them.