Make a Musical Journey to Piper's Opera House
In 1863, John Piper purchased a humble brick office building and he turned it into an Opera House and saloon. This venue has been a tourist attraction in Virginia City for years and has recently undergone massive restorations.
The Piper was soon one of the best-known and most influential theaters of the mid-1800's. A fire in 1875 destroyed his first Virginia City theater (at another location), Piper built a second theater here, to the rear of the saloon. This original incarnation of the Piper Theater burned to the ground and was rebuilt in the building of today in 1885.
Early performances included classics by Shakespeare starring prominent American and British touring actors, such as Lilly Langtry as well as minstrel shows and other performers. The on-going restoration work on the opera house began originally in the 1960's and is continued today. Many of the original 1800's furnishings and artifacts remain in place in the Opera House.
Interestingly, an excavation was done in 1998 in front of the original old saloon located at the corner of the opera house; over 100,000 artifacts were discovered that related to the period and saloon business. Walking tours are daily and the opera house is located at 1 North B Street. Admission is free.
