Wheeler Aspen Opera House

Jerome B. Wheeler, a wealthy businessman, helped build Aspen into one of Colorado's major cities in the late 19th century. Prospectors first entered the Roaring Fork Valley in 1879 looking for silver deposits. Aspen was well on its way to becoming known as one of the richest silver deposits in Colorado, but its true success would be determined by the ability to find investment capital.

J. B. Wheeler arrived to the area in 1883 as an investor in the Midland Railroad, and continued to invest in the community with the construction of a fine home, the Hotel Jerome and the Wheeler Opera House Building. The 1889 Gala Grand Opening of the Wheeler Opera House was considered to be the most important cultural event of the young mining community.

Over the next decade, the opera house would endure the historic boom and bust of the mining world, followed by two mysterious fires that destroyed the theatre portion of the building and lead to the "Quiet Years" as the theatre was boarded up and forgotten for over 30 years. By 1949, the Wheeler Opera House doors were open again as the community joined together in seeking their cultural aspirations. Since 1949, the opera house has gone through extensive restoration and remodel projects. Today, the historic Wheeler Opera House is one of Aspen's premiere performing arts venues.

The Wheeler Opera House holds over 300 events annually, including theater productions, concerts, dance performances, films, and lectures. The 500-seat venue host at least one annual event of national interest, HBO's U.S. Comedy Arts Festival, which has put George Carlin, Billy Crystal and live readings of "The Simpsons" on the Wheeler stage. The Wheeler Opera House is home to Aspen Filmfest's locally focused, but high-level fall film festival, and its increasingly prestigious Shortsfest in the spring. During the heart of the summer, when the Aspen Music Festival and School takes over exclusive use of the Wheeler, the opera house lives up to its name, with internationally prominent conductors leading performances of the great operas. Locals and visitors also look forward to musical acts brought to the Wheeler Opera House throughout the year. Lyle Lovett, Widespread Panic, Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill and Ben Harper have all appeared there over the past decade.

World-renowned artists and local community entertainers share this performance space – giving it an eclectic repertoire every season.