• Organization

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    Utah Festival Opera Company

    The Capitol Theatre, built in 1923, was the fourth opera house to be built in Logan. This towering structure, acclaimed as Logan's crown jewel, housed one of the most elegant interiors and well designed stages in the country. The Capitol Theatre was the principal venue and auditorium for Cache Valley performing arts for 30 years, but in the late 1950s live performances ceased and the theater was allowed to deteriorate.

    In 1988, Michael Ballam began a campaign to save and preserve the historic Capitol Theatre, with the idea of establishing an opera festival in Cache Valley. His vision, coupled with great sacrifice, fund-raising, and community volunteerism, revived the Capitol Theatre. A $6.5 million renovation budget restored its intricate architecture and preserved its history while upgrading its theatrical capacities. The facility once again became worthy of housing professional works of theater. On January 8, 1993, the theater opened under a new name, the Ellen Eccles Theatre. The theater was named in honor of a prominent Utah pioneer matriarch known for her contributions to the Cache Valley community.

    Michael Ballam, a Logan native with a 20-year professional operatic career, a doctoral degree in music, and a worldwide reputation in the industry, envisioned producing professional opera in the theater's elegant environment. He and the founding administrative group chose to produce opera in a festival-type atmosphere, thus allowing patrons to attend all performances within a two- or three-day period.

    • Contact Info

      Utah Festival Opera Company

      59 South 100 West
      Logan, 84321

      Phone: (435)750-0300

      Fax: (435)753-5856

      Website

    • Locations

      Northern Utah