Nachton Elmwood Opera House

Elmwood Opera House

The Elmwood Opera House appears to be a modern wonder of Nachton, though it was in fact completely remodeled from a more modest but still exquisite theater built at the turn of the century. There is little evidence left of its antiquity save its grand columns that frame the entrance and hints of its original architecture inside.

One can access the sprawling structure in one of two ways; a grand front entrance hall accessible by foot or car, and a back doorway accessible only by boat. Thus one can choose just how to make that perfect entrance.

The exterior of the structure is as much a sculpture of reflective glass and steel as it is a functional building. The Opera House occupies approximately one full city block and rises twenty four stories high, though it holds only three distinct levels. Each level is completely sound proof from the outside and indeed each other.

The basement is not usually open to the public, but instead used for practice, cafeteria for the musicians and general management.

The main level contains the largest of the halls, comfortably holding between 500 and 1000 people, depending on the arrangement of the hall for that particular performance. The floor slides downwards, and goes out in a half-circle from the stage, allowing everyone to see the musicians. A sweeping balcony, accessible by an elegant double staircase done in black marble with gold leaf trim, wraps around the entire hall, as well as private boxes just underneath.

Upon entering the foyer of the Opera House, the first thing guests are likely to notice is the Lady of the Theatre, an elegant white statue of a woman regarding the patrons as they enter. This statue, backed by heavy red velvet drapery, greets the patrons and watches over the theater. It is rumored that The Lady was built in the likeness of a woman of some personal significance to the theater's owner, Aron Swiftwood.

The walls and ceiling are covered with light, polished elm wood that stands in sharp contrast to the black velvet chairs and the unusually dark ebony floor. From the ceilings hangs what appears to be shields of black, smoky glass, but in reality are acoustic amplifiers, ensuring the sounds are carried perfectly to every corner of the hall.

The middle floor also contains a foyer, in the same style as the hall itself, which contains an exclusive bar and a cloakroom. White marble statues fill the many red-draped alcoves of the foyer. The bar holds an assortment of black tables on which sit vases of blood red roses, delivered fresh every day. Several glass sculpture chandeliers give the whole area a gloom of gothic elegance.

On the top floor lies the smaller "hall", known as the "Sanguine Venue" for its blood red interior. It only has room for 250 people, making it ideal for all sorts of experimental music, although it is sometimes used for various sorts of stand up and theater as well. The last part of the top floor contains an exclusive café and record store, with live recordings from the halls and general hard to find cd's and lp's.