Join us to celebrate the 125 year anniversary of the Claremont Opera House. This variety show will feature several local arts organizations that will share some of the history and significance of theatre and music in Claremont. The show will also include the book launch of Stage Whispers - A Living History, Retold, a commemorative book about the history of arts and entertainment in Claremont. Each preorder of this book will include a free ticket to this celebration; see details here.  

 

This 125 anniversary event and book were funded in part by a New Hampshire Humanities Community Project Grant.

 

The program will include: 

 

Part 1: A Living History featuring Off Broad Street Players 

*  Author Annalisa Parent will share a few selections from Stage Whispers - A Living History, Retold including character portrayals. 

*  Segments of some key speeches given during the original 1897 dedication of Claremont’s new public building will be reenacted.  

*  An adaptation of the first show on the COH stage will be performed. This one act play titled “The Burglar” is adapted as a 1947 Radio Show, created as if it was the COH’s 50th Anniversary year.

 

Intermission: Patrons can view the 125 Year Exhibit in the John D. Bennett Atrium Gallery.

 

Part 2: Claremont’s Special Music featuring the Claremont American Band, West Claremont Center for Music and the Arts (WCCMA), and East Bay Jazz Ensemble

 

*  Renowned pianist Virginia Eskin will perform the Claremont Grand March, by Addison P Wyman. It was written for the citizens of Claremont in 1868, and was first played at the reopening of the old town hall in 1869, then played at the dedication of the new building in 1897. 

*  The Claremont American Band with Director Ed Evensen will play John Phillip Sousa’s Stars and Stripes, Claremont’s Triumphant March and other American Band favorites. 

*  Melissa Richmond, musician and Executive Director of WCCMA, and company will perform the Claremont Suite (2014) by Mark Harvey. This jazz piece was commissioned to celebrate Claremont’s 250th anniversary. They will also perform Concerto for Flute and String Orchestra (2014) by Kinan Azmeh, and arranged in 2022 by M. Richmond. This concerto was also commissioned to celebrate Claremont’s 250th anniversary.