Boston Opera House opens.

Architect: Wheelwright, Haven & Parkman. Designed in the Ruskinian Gothic style, it is located at 343 Huntington Avenue, and opens with a performance of Amilcare Ponchielli’s La Giaconda. Funded by Eben Jordan Jr., its cornerstone was laid on November 30, 1908. The hall seats 2,750, and is described by the Boston Globe as “The best equipped temple of music in America,” and by Arthur Whiting as “the first Unitarian Opera House.” It serves as the home of the new Boston Opera Company until the organization goes bankrupt in 1915, the Boston Grand Opera Company in 1916 and 1917, and then to touring companies, including the Metropolitan Opera of New York, as well as variety shows. Performers include Enrico Caruso, Lauritz Melchior, Kirsten Flagstad, and Renata Tebaldi. Purchased by the Shubert Theater Company in 1916, the building is converted to a theater and closes on September 25, 1957. It is purchased by Northeastern University and demolished to make way for construction of a dormitory in February 1958.