HISTORY

The National Opera House

Our Mission

The National Opera House (NOH) is a nonprofit organization based out of Pittsburgh, PA. Our primary mission is to preserve the arts, culture, and music in underserved communities. We welcome you to join us on this journey.

HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL OPERA HOUSE

1865

Land Sold

The property on which the house now stands originally belonged to Samuel Chadwick, Dr. John A Wilson and his wife Sarah Wilson, who sold the land to Andrew Woolslayer in 1865

1865

1868

Land Sold

He sold it in 1868 to John F. Wilharm and he and his wife Johanna held on to the property for the next 22 years.

1868

1890

Land Sold

John F. Wilharm and his wife Johanna sold the land to George Shafer in 1890. Shafer and his wife Lizzie bought the land for $5,750.

1890

1894

Home Built

Shafer and his wife Lizzie are believed to have been the ones to construct the Queen Anne style home on what was then called Spencer Street. The Shafer family lived in the home until the early 20s, when he passed away.

 

1894

1924

Home Inherited and Sold

Lizzie inherited and sold the home to a partnership of three buyers in 1924. The three buyers were Flora M. Fornao, William Lambert Surfer, and Tillie E. Butler bought the house and the three surrounding acres for $15,000. Around this time Spencer Street was renamed Apple Street, as it is still known to this day.

1924

Early 1920s to Early 1930s

Black Wealth Acquisitions

 

A major change came in the early 1920s to early 1930s when wealthy African Americans like Robert L. Vann and others began buying properties within Homewood, which at the time was still a mostly white neighborhood.

Crystal Barder Shop: Charles Teenie Harris Archive

William “Woogie” Harris

 

Early 1920s to Early 1930s

1930

William A. “Woogie” Harris Acquires Home

William A. “Woogie” Harris, acquired the manor on Apple Street in 1930. Woogie, the older brother of the renowned Pittsburgh photographer Charles “Teenie” Harris, also owned Crystal Barbershop on Wylie Avenue in the Hill District. He and his partner Gus Greenlee, known as the famed owner of the Pittsburgh Crawfords, became the major figures in the numbers racket of the city. Woogie used the barbershop on Wylie Avenue as a front for this very lucrative business.

Woogie with his wife, Ada B.
1930

1930 - 1967

William A. “Woogie” Harris Acquires Home

Woogie and his wife, Ada B. lived in the home during the more exciting years of the house, in contrast with its earlier “quiet” years. From the 1930s until Harris’s death in 1967, the house hosted some of the most famous personalities of black society, arts, and culture. Harris was known for his generosity and for hosting glamorous parties, with guests arriving in fancy cars and furs to be entertained by the likes of Count Basie and Lena Horne. Never knowing what celebrity might be on the guest list, the house became known as the “Mystery Manor”. During the time of discriminatory housing and lodging laws, Harris also provided accommodations to artists and athletes who were unable to stay in other parts of the city. It was a safe house for great musicians, such as Cab Calloway, Lena Horne and Duke Ellington, and for athletes, such as heavyweight champion Joe Louis, Pittsburgh legend Roberto Clemente, as well as Roy Jefferson, John Nesby, and Marvin Woodson of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Woogie Harris, Cab Calloway, John Henry Lewis, and Joe Louis
Woogie Harris & Lena Horne
1930 - 1967

1941

Mary Cardwell Dawson Leases Space

It was also Harris who rented the upper floors of the house to Mary Cardwell Dawson so that the National Negro Opera Company, founded in Pittsburgh in 1941, could rehearse.

1941

MARY CARDWELL DAWSON'S LIFE & CAREER

February 14, 1894

Mary Lucinda Cardwell Dawson

She was born in 1894 in Madison, North Carolina.

February 14, 1894

1902

Moved To Munhall, Pennsylvania

At age seven, she moved north with her family to Munhall, Pennsylvania. Her father found work at the Hobson and Walker Brickyard in Homestead. Madame Dawson learned to sing in the choir of her church. She enrolled in the New England Conservatory of Music, the only African American in her class.

1902

Age of 31

Earns Multiple Degrees

At the age of 31, she graduated with degrees in voice and piano and continued her studies at the Chicago Musical College in New York with a dream of becoming an opera singer.

 

Age of 31

Mar. 26, 1926

Event 1

Mary L. Cardwell gave pianoforte and voice recital at Bethleham Baptist Church, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Mar. 26, 1926

1927

Returns To Pittsburgh

Realizing that there were no opportunities for African American opera singers she returned home to Pittsburgh in 1927 with her new husband Walter Dawson. She opened the Cardwell Dawson School of Music in the Homewood neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

1927

Nov. 22, 1929

Event 2

Cardwell Dawson accompanied tenor Claudius James Broadfield at a recital at Wilmerding Christian Association, Wilmerding, Pa.

Nov. 22, 1929

May 6, 1930

Event 3

Cardwell Dawson and her Concert Company gave a recital at Schenley High School, Pittsburgh, Pa.

May 6, 1930

June 30, 1930

Event 4

Pupils of Mary Cardwell Dawson gave the sixth annual recital at Rodman Street Baptist Church, Pittsburgh, Pa.

June 30, 1930

April 28, 1932

Event 5

The Merry Milkmaids, an operetta in two acts by C. H. Gabriel, performed at Schenley High School (Mary Cardwell Dawson directed)

April 28, 1932

May 27, 1932

Event 6

The Merry Milkmaids performed at Carnegie Library, Pittsburgh, Pa. (Mary Cardwell Dawson directed)

May 27, 1932

June 8, 1933

Event 7

Cardwell School of Music concert at Herron Hill Junior High School Auditorium, Pittsburgh, Pa.

June 8, 1933

July 11, 1933

Event 8

“The Heavenly Road: A beautiful religious pageant sermon in song” staged and directed by Dawson at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Pittsburgh, Pa.

July 11, 1933

December 15, 1933

Event 9

Artist Programme at Carron Street Baptist Church, Pittsburgh, Pa.

December 15, 1933

December 29, 1933

Event 10

Saengerfest, presented by the Pittsburgh branch of the National Association of Negro Musicians, at Irene Kaufmann Settlement, Pittsburgh, Pa

December 29, 1933

August 26-30, 1933

Event 11

Convention of the National Association of Negro Musicians, Pittsburgh, Pa.

August 26-30, 1933

November 29, 1935

Event 12

Cardwell School of Music Choir and Clairton Community Choral recital, Clairton High School, Clairton, Pa.

November 29, 1935

May 27, 1937

Event 13

Third annual concert of the Cardwell Dawson Choir, Carnegie Music Hall, Pittsburgh, Pa.

May 27, 1937

June 17, 1937

Event 14

Fourth annual concert of the Cardwell Dawson Choir, Carnegie Music Hall, Pittsburgh, Pa.

June 17, 1937

May 19, 1938

Event 15

Cardwell Dawson Choir performed at Greenburg High School Auditorium

May 19, 1938

May 31, 1938

Event 16

Fourth annual concert of the Cardwell Dawson Choir, Carnegie Music Hall, Pittsburgh, Pa.

May 31, 1938

July 31-August 4, 1938

Event 17

Pittsburgh branch of the National Association of Negro Musicians observed National Music Week.

July 31-August 4, 1938

September 15, 1938

Event 18

Mary Cardwell Dawson recital, John Wesley A.M.E. Zion Church, Pittsburgh, Pa.

September 15, 1938

March 23, 1939

Event 19

Fifth annual concert of the Cardwell Dawson Choir, Carnegie Music Hall, Pittsburgh, Pa.

March 23, 1939

May 26 1939

Event 20

Benefit concert by the Cardwell Dawson Choir, Carnegie Music Hall, Pittsburgh, Pa.

May 26 1939

April 2, 1940

Event 21

Sixth annual concert of the Cardwell Dawson Choir, Carnegie Music Hall, Pittsburgh, Pa.

April 2, 1940

1941

Birth of The National Negro Opera Company (NNOC)

After presenting the opera Aida at the National Association of Negro Musicians convention of 1941, Dawson launched the NNOC later that same year with a performance at Pittsburgh’s Syria Mosque, starring La Julia Rhea. The NNOC was the first opera company to be fully run by a woman and very few were run by a person of color. By doing both, Mary Cardwell Dawson created history

1941

May 9, 1941

Event 22

Sixth annual concert of the Cardwell Dawson Choir, Carnegie Music Hall, Pittsburgh, Pa.

May 9, 1941

May 27, 1941

Event 23

Cardwell Dawson Choir performed R. Nathaniel Dett’s The Ordering of Moses, Carnegie Music Hall, Pittsburgh, Pa.

May 27, 1941

August 5, 1941

Event 24

Night of Opera at Wendell Phillips High School Auditorium (Chicago Campaign Committee of the National Negro Opera Company).

August 5, 1941

August 18, 1941

Event 25

Night of Opera at Wendell Phillips High School Auditorium (Chicago Campaign Committee of the National Negro Opera Company).

August 18, 1941

August 24-29, 1941

Event 26

National Association of Negro Musician’s 21st annual convention, Ebenezer Baptist Church, Pittsburgh, Pa.

August 24-29, 1941

August 29, 1941

Event 27

Cardwell Dawson School of Music and Pittsburgh Branch of the National Association of Negro Musicians presented Aida, Syria Mosque, Pittsburgh, Pa.

August 29, 1941

October 30, 1941

Event 28

Mary Cardwell Dawson presented Aida, Syria Mosque, Pittsburgh, Pa.

October 30, 1941

June 5, 1942

Event 29

Mary Cardwell Dawson, soprano and her Special Octette gave recital, Senior High School Auditorium, Uniontown, Pa.

June 5, 1942

October 10-11, 1942

Event 30

Chicago Negro Opera Guild performed Aida, Civic Opera House, Chicago, Ill.

October 10-11, 1942

January 24, 1943

Event 31

Inaugural program, Wendell Phillips High School, Chicago

January 24, 1943

March 25, 1943

Event 32

 Benefit midnight show, presented stars and artists of the cast of Porgy and Bess, Leo Weil School, Pittsburgh, Pa.

March 25, 1943

April 18, 1943

Event 33

National Negro Opera Company, Inc. Official mass meeting, Schenley High School, Pittsburgh, Pa.

April 18, 1943

August 28, 1943

Event 34

La Traviata, Watergate, Washington, D.C.

August 28, 1943

October 26, 1943

Event 35

La Traviata, Civic Opera House, Chicago.

October 26, 1943

January 25, 1944

Event 36

La Traviata, Syria Mosque, Pittsburgh, Pa.

January 25, 1944

March 29, 1944

Event 37

La Traviata, Madison Square Garden, New York City.

March 29, 1944

July 29, 1944

Event 38

Faust, Watergate, Washington, D.C.

July 29, 1944

August 26, 1944

Event 39

Aida, Coliseum, Chicago.

August 26, 1944

October 15, 1944

Event 40

Aida, Uline Arena, Washington, D.C. (rescheduled from July 30 and then Sept. 17).

October 15, 1944

December 25, 1944

Event 41

New York Campaign Committee of the National Negro Opera Company sponsored third of a series of “pleasant Sunday afternoon musicals,” Church of Christ, New York.

December 25, 1944

December 31, 1944

Event 42

New York Campaign Committee of the National Negro Opera Company sponsored fourth of a series of “pleasant Sunday afternoon musicals,” Salem M.E. Church, New York.

December 31, 1944

January 7, 1945

Event 43

New York chapter of the National Negro Opera Company presented Grand Concert, St. Marks M.E. Church, New York.

January 7, 1945

June 28, 1945

Event 44

National Negro Opera Company sponsored Battle of Song: a Citywide Vocal Contest, Salem M.E. Church, New York.

June 28, 1945

October 21-27, 1945

Event 45

First Annual National Negro Opera Meet & Exhibit, Headquarters, YMCA with special events at various downtown locations, New York.

October 21-27, 1945

April 28, 1946

Event 46

Chicago Opera Guild presented The Ordering of Moses, Eighth Street Theatre.

April 28, 1946

June 30, 1946

Event 47

Mary Cardwell Dawson singers with augmented chorus of over 100 performed The Ordering of Moses, Syria Mosque, Pittsburgh, Pa.

June 30, 1946

February 28, 1947

Event 48

Mary Cardwell Dawson recital, Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, Washington, D.C.

February 28, 1947

July 19, 1947

Event 49

First Annual Music and Dance Festival, Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C.

July 19, 1947

August 5, 1947

Event 50

New York Opera Guild of the National Negro Opera Company sponsored First Annual Music and Dance Festival, Carnegie Hall, New York.

August 5, 1947

November 30, 1947

Event 51

Chicago Opera Guild presented Mary Cardwell Dawson recital, Wendell Phillips High School.

November 30, 1947

February 25, 1948

Event 52

Mary Cardwell Dawson recital, Carnegie Music Hall, Pittsburgh, Pa. (benefit for National Negro Opera Company).

February 25, 1948

April 3, 1948

Event 53

New York, Newark and Washington Guilds of the National Negro Opera Company sponsored “An Afternoon of Stars,” Carnegie Hall, New York.

April 3, 1948

April 30, 1948

Event 55

Mary Cardwell Dawson recital, Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, Washington, D.C.

April 30, 1948

June 24, 1948

Event 56

The Chicago Negro Opera Guild in concert, New Friendship Baptist Church, Chicago.

June 24, 1948

August 1-7, 1948

Event 57

National Negro Opera Meet and Exhibit, multiple locations, Washington, D.C.

August 1-7, 1948

August 7, 1948

Event 58

Second Annual Spectacular Music Festival, Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C.

August 7, 1948

November 19, 1948

Event 59

John Anglin, tenor in concert with Mary Cardwell Dawson, piano, Asbury Methodist Church, Washington, D.C. (Benefit Opera Fund).

November 19, 1948

February 10, 1949

Event 60

Washington Opera Guild sponsored Pre-Valentine Benefit Dance, Lincoln Colonnade, Washington, D.C.

February 10, 1949

April 30, 1949

Event 61

Aida, National Guard Armory, Washington, D.C.

April 30, 1949

August 21-26, 1949

Event 62

Third Annual Opera Meet and Exhibit, multiple locations in Washington, D.C.

August 21-26, 1949

August 26, 1949

Event 63

Third Annual Gala Music Festival, Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C.

August 26, 1949

November 4, 1949

Event 64

Mary Cardwell Dawson Presents her Program of Musical Gems,” Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, Washington, D.C.

November 4, 1949

November 27, 1949

Event 65

Bertha M. Bragg, soprano and Mary Cardwell Dawson, piano, John Wesley A.M.E. Zion Church, Washington, D.C. (Benefit Recital).

November 27, 1949

March 31, 1950

Event 66

National Negro Opera Foundation received charter and incorporated in the District of Columbia.

March 31, 1950

April 9, 1950

Event 67

 First Annual Easter Fashion Parade and Symposium, John Wesley A.M.E. Zion Church, Washington, D.C.

April 9, 1950

May 19, 1950

Event 68

A Night at the Opera, Howard Theatre, Washington, D.C.

May 19, 1950

July 28, 1950

Event 69

The Ordering of Moses, Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C. (fourth annual presentation).

July 28, 1950

October 1, 1950

Event 70

Chicago Negro Opera Guild presented Opera Festival, Kimball Hall, Chicago.

October 1, 1950

November 20, 1950

Event 71

The Ordering of Moses, Shiloh Baptist Church, Washington, D.C.

November 20, 1950

February 25, 1951

Event 70

The Ordering of Moses, Allegany High School Auditorium, Cumberland, Maryland.

February 25, 1951

March 24, 1951

Event 71

Second Annual Easter Fashion Parade, Washington, D.C.

March 24, 1951

June 15, 1951

Event 72

The Ordering of Moses, Carnegie Hall, New York.

June 15, 1951

September 30, 1951

Event 73

Fifth Annual Music festival, Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C.

September 30, 1951

February 3, 1952

Event 74

National Negro Opera Company and Chicago Negro Opera Guild sponsored Galaxy of Stars – an afternoon of opera (pre-opera benefit), Metropolitian Community Church, Chicago.

February 3, 1952

March 29, 1952

Event 75

National Negro Opera Company and Chicago Negro Opera Guild sponsored Faust, Civic Opera, Chicago.

March 29, 1952

August 15, 1952

Event 76

Sixth Annual Music Festival presented Faust, Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C.

August 15, 1952

September 14, 1952

Event 77

Aida, Convention Hall, 178th Armory, Chicago.

September 14, 1952

October 19, 1952

Event 78

National Negro Opera Foundation and the Washington Opera Guild presented Court of Famous Characters (excerpts from Aida, Faust, Naughty Marietta, Il Trovatore and The Ordering of Moses), Turner Memorial A.M.E. Church, Washington, D.C.

October 19, 1952

November 20, 1952

Event 79

National Negro Opera Foundation and the Washington Opera Guild sponsored Pre-Thanksgiving Dance (benefit), Convention Hall, 178th Armory, Chicago.

November 20, 1952

January 9, 1953

Event 80

Court of Famous Characters (excerpts from Aida, Faust, Naughty Marietta, Il Trovatore and The Ordering of Moses), Turner Memorial A.M.E. Church, Washington, D.C.

January 9, 1953

March 27-30, 1953

Event 81

National Negro Opera Foundation opera meet, National Council House of Negro Women, Washington, D.C.

March 27-30, 1953

April 20, 1953

Event 82

Court of Famous Characters: Parade of Kings and Queens, excerpts from the great operas, and biblical scenes from The Ordering of Moses, Metropolitan Baptist Church, Washington, D.C.

April 20, 1953

July 25, 1953

Event 83

Seventh Annual Gala Music Festival, Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C.

July 25, 1953

February 18, 1953

Event 84

National Negro Opera Foundation provided music for the Tuesday Evening Club of Social Workers, Inc. in celebration of Negro History Week, Dunbar Hotel, Washington, D.C.

February 18, 1953

March 14, 1954

Event 85

Pittsburgh Opera Guild presented Pre-opera benefit, with Ben Mitchell Morris, tenor, Mass Ballet ensemble, and fashion display of the National Negro Opera Company’s European costumes, Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall, Pittsburgh, Pa.

March 14, 1954

March 24, 1954

Event 86

Ben Morris, in concert, Metropolitian A.M.E. Church, Washington, D.C.

March 24, 1954

August 4, 1954

Event 87

National Negro Opera Foundation, honoring the National Association of Colored Women, sponsored Eighth Annual Gala Music Festival, Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C.

August 4, 1954

October 9, 1954

Event 88

Aida, Syria Mosque, Pittsburgh, Pa.

October 9, 1954

December 3, 1954

Event 89

Pittsburgh Opera Guild Benefit, Follies of 1954, Schenley High School, Pittsburgh, Pa.

December 3, 1954

January 16, 1955

Event 90

Chicago Negro Opera Guild presented scenes from Carmen, Aida, Faust and La Traviata, Wendell Phillips High School, Chicago.

January 16, 1955

May 28, 1955

Event 91

National Negro Opera Foundation sponsored First Annual Benefit Banquet Ball, Hotel New Yorker, New York.

May 28, 1955

August 27, 1955

Event 92

Court of Famous Characters, Ninth Annual Music Festival, Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C.

August 27, 1955

September 12, 1955

Event 93

New York Guild of National Negro Opera Foundation presented first concert of a new series: “Series of Concerts of Thrilling Voices,” Salem Methodist Church, Social Hall, New York.

September 12, 1955

October 30, 1955

Event 94

Mass meeting, National Negro Opera Foundation presented its Cleveland Opera Guild, Cory Methodist Church.

October 30, 1955

May 27, 1956

Event 95

National Negro Opera Foundation, in cooperation with the New York Opera Guild presented Ouanga, Haitian opera, in English, Metropolitan Opera House, New York.

May 27, 1956

September 27-30, 1956

Event 96

National Negro Opera Foundation, in cooperation with the New York Opera Guild presented Ouanga, Haitian opera, in English, Carnegie Hall, New York.

September 27-30, 1956

November 4, 1956

Event 97

The Chicago Opera Guild honored Mme. Mary Cardwell Dawson, Chicago.

November 4, 1956

December 7, 1956

Event 98

National Negro Opera Foundation presented Evelyn Greene, in concert, Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, Washington, D.C.

December 7, 1956

December 16, 1956

Event 99

The Ordering of Moses, Union Congregational Church, New York.

December 16, 1956

January 10, 1957

Event 100

The Ordering of Moses, Parent-Teacher Association of Abyssinian Baptist Church of New York City.

January 10, 1957

February 10, 1957

Event 101

First annual historical & musical tea, dedicated to celebrated Negro composers, National Federation of Colored Women’s Headquarters, Washington, D.C.

February 10, 1957

April 17, 1957

Event 102

The Ordering of Moses, Faith Temple Church of God in Christ, Main Auditorium, New York.

April 17, 1957

April 21, 1957

Event 103

Spring Operama and Easter Parade, Bethel A.M.E. Church, Chicago.

April 21, 1957

May 5, 1957

Event 104

The Ordering of Moses, Hillhouse High School, New Haven, Conn.

May 5, 1957

May 26, 1957

Event 105

New York Opera Guild presented A Sunday Night Musical, Theresa Hotel, Skyline Room, New York.

May 26, 1957

June 16, 1957

Event 106

Chicago Opera Guild sponsored Evelyn Greene concert, Olivet Baptist Church, Chicago.

June 16, 1957

August 24, 1957

Event 107

Washington Opera Guild Benefit “An Evening on the Lawn,” 1256 Kearny Street, N.E., Washington, D.C.

August 24, 1957

September 20, 1957

Event 108

Georgia Club of the Metropolitan Baptist Church sponsored The Ordering of Moses, Metropolitan Baptist Church, Washington, D.C.

September 20, 1957

November 22, 1957

Event 109

The Ordering of Moses, Lawson Religious and Civic Center, New York.

November 22, 1957

February 16, 1958

Event 110

The Ordering of Moses, Convent Avenue Baptist Church, New York.

February 16, 1958

February 23, 1958

Event 111

A Historical & Musical Tea, in observance of National Brotherhood Week, National Federation of Colored Women’s Headquarters, Washington, D.C.

February 23, 1958

February 28, 1958

Event 112

Calvary Baptist Church Sunday School sponsored The Ordering of Moses, River Street School Auditorium, Red Bank, New Jersey.

February 28, 1958

May 23, 1958

Event 113

Bethesda Baptist Church sponsored The Ordering of Moses, Concord Baptist Church, Brooklyn, New York.

May 23, 1958

July 13, 1958

Event 114

Friends of the New York Opera Guild Committee sponsored The Ordering of Moses, Bedford Avenue YMCA, Brooklyn, New York.

July 13, 1958

August 26, 1958

Event 115

Grand Lodge Convention Committee of the Elks I.B.O.E. of W. sponsored The Ordering of Moses, Metropolitan Baptist Church, Washington, D.C.

August 26, 1958

November 1, 1958

Event 116

The Washington D.C. Women’s Committee, Mary Cardwell Dawson, and the National Negro Opera Foundation presented “An Informal Afternoon Gathering,” 1601 R Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.

November 1, 1958

November 20, 1958

Event 117

G. Dewey Robinson Boosters Club sponsored “Fashions Aboard the Luxury Liner,” Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, Washington, D.C.

November 20, 1958

January 25, 1959

Event 118

Washington Opera Guild sponsored “Fashions Aboard the Luxury Liner,” Casino Royal, Washington, D.C.

January 25, 1959

June 20, 1959

Event 119

Board of Governors of the National Negro Opera Foundation sponsored “An Opera Luncheon,” Sheraton-Park Hotel, Washington, D.C.

June 20, 1959

August 30, 1959

Event 120

Chicago Opera Guild presented Grand Opera Interlude, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Gentry, Chicago.

August 30, 1959

November 11, 1959

Event 121

Benefit dinner, 2610 3rd Street N.E., Washington, D.C. (private residence).

November 11, 1959

February 14, 1960

Event 122

National Negro Opera Foundation presented The Ordering of Moses, in cooperation with the Association of Negro Life and History, Lisner Auditorium, Washington, D.C.

February 14, 1960

September 11, 1960

Event 123

Chicago Negro Opera Guild presented Opera Festival, Dunbar High School Auditorium, Chicago.

September 11, 1960

November 18, 1960

Event 124

Evelyn Greene, in concert, Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, Washington, D.C. (sponsored by the Metropolitian A.M.E. Church’s Pastor’s Aid and Hospitality Clubs).

November 18, 1960

December 2, 1960

Event 125

National Negro Opera Foundation and Washington Guild presented 1960 Spectacular Fashions in Couturere Parisienne, Metropolitian A.M.E. Church, Washington, D.C.

December 2, 1960

February 19, 1961

Event 126

National Negro Opera Foundation and Chicago Opera Guild held reception honoring Mary Cardwell Dawson, and presented Chicago Sustaining Committee, Palmer House, Chicago

February 19, 1961

April 23, 1961

Event 127

Washington Youth Opera Guild held “Talented Tots to Teens” fashion musicale and dance show, Jewish Community Center, Washington, D.C.

April 23, 1961

June 3-4, 1961

Event 128

National Negro Opera Foundation, in cooperation New York, Washington, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Chicago Opera Guilds held two-day opera meet, Statler Hotel, Washington, D.C.

June 3-4, 1961

July 16, 1961

Event 129

The Ordering of Moses performed at a benefit performance for National Negro Opera Company and Chicago Opera Guild, Dunbar High School Auditorium, Chicago.

July 16, 1961

March 19, 1962

Event 130

Mary Cardwell Dawson died, Washington, D.C.

March 19, 1962

May 17, 1962

Event 131

New York Guild Opera Workshop performed The Bohemian Girl, Beulah Wesleyan Auditorium, New York.

May 17, 1962

October 7, 1962

Event 132

Chicago Negro Opera Guild performed in Opera Festival, Dunbar High School Auditorium

October 7, 1962

September 19, 1965

Event 133

Chicago Opera Guild performed concertized excerpts from Aida, Faust, Il Travatore and Masked Ball, McCormack Place, Chicago (in memory of Mary Cardwell Dawson).

September 19, 1965

May 25, 1994

National Negro Opera Company Becomes an Official Historical Marker

Dedication of an official historical marker commemorating the National Negro Opera Company at the site of the old Cardwell School of Music, 7101 Apple Street, Pittsburgh, Pa.

May 25, 1994

July 27, 1997

Tribute to Madame Mary Cardwell Dawson

Tribute to Madame Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company, Carnegie Library of Homestead Music Hall, Pittsburgh, Pa

July 27, 1997

SUPPORT THE NATIONAL OPERA HOUSE

GIVE TODAY

Make a secure donation today via credit card or PayPal. It's tax deductible.
DONATE

FUNDRAISE

Host events or parties to help raise funds for The National Opera House.
fundraise

VOLUNTEER

Give your time and serve your community for a better future.
volunteer

Stay Connected

Events, updates, news and more…