The Opera House, Toronto live recordings and venue details
Originally an Edwardian vaudeville theatre that opened in 1905, seating almost 700 people, the theatre has been used as a live music venue since 1989. It has a distinctive, decorated 35 foot proscenium arch and a balcony.
Upcoming live events at The Opera House
Yes, you can still enjoy live music at The Opera House. Check out https://www.theoperahousetoronto.com/shows
Additional facts about The Opera House
- The live performances in The Barenaked Ladies video for the song Brian Wilson were shot there - BNL's debut studio album released July 28th, 1992
- The live performances in The Headstones Smile and Wave video were shot there - the Canadian bands third studio album released May 6, 1997
- The Tragically Hip’s 'My Music at Work' music video was primarily filmed in the lobby of Commerce Court North in Toronto, part of the CIBC headquarters. The video was directed by Bruce McCulloch of The Kids In The Hall TV show fame. The performance scenes featuring the band as 'The Filters' were shot at The Opera House in Toronto on May 14, 2000.
Historic timeline
- The building opened in 1905 as La Plaza Theatre, an Edwardian vaudeville stage eventually converted to showing movies, keeping the same name into the 1960's
- The theatre continued showing films, changing its name on occasion like Acropolis, Dundas, and Cinema Ellas.
- In the late 1930s, the venue closed to add a second-story balcony.
- In the late 1980s, it was home to the successful gospel musical Mama, I Want to Sing! written by Vy Higginsen as a tribute to many African-American stars in the 1960's and 1970s.
Additional websites
The Opera House location
Located in Queen Street East neighborhood at:
735 Queen Street East
Toronto, Ontario
M4M 1H1
CA
Toronto, Ontario
M4M 1H1
CA
GPS: 43.65908123287445, -79.34871638760453
Concerts at The Opera House
Concerts by date
- 1991 - Nirvana live in Toronto at the The Opera House on Sept 20th, 1991
- 1997 - Chumbawamba - Opera House, Toronto Canada 10/20/97 xfer from DAT FM Clone Complete Show
- 2009 - Sacrifice - Live At The Opera House Toronto 2009 - w/Soundboard Audio
- 2016 - Metallica: playing Whiskey in the Jar (Opera House - Toronto, Canada - Nov 29, 2016)
- 2025 - THE LINDA LINDAS | Infectious Punk Rock Hooks Live | Full Set | The Opera House | Toronto | April 26, 2025
Concerts by artist
- Chumbawamba on Monday October 20th 1997
- The Linda Lindas on Friday April 25th 2025
- Metallica on Tuesday November 29th 2016
- Nirvana on Friday September 20th 1991
- Sacrifice on Saturday November 21st 2009
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(Follow these links to the full list of venues and concerts by band name or concerts by year. We also have more details on some artists, here. Live music vault website design and original text copyright 2026 Wholemap. Videos and recordings and the details provided, are owned by the respective copyright holders.)