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Opera House Tries to Get Back on the Right Note

JIM THORPE — The Mauch Chunk opera house in Jim Thorpe seemed quiet on Thursday, but music has played in the hall for more than 100 years. Recently, the f...

JIM THORPE -- The Mauch Chunk opera house in Jim Thorpe seemed quiet on Thursday, but music has played in the hall for more than 100 years.

Recently, the future of this place was up in the air.

"The potential of going out of business was entirely real," said Vicent DeGiosio with the Mauch Chunk Opera House.

Some neighbors of the opera house complained that the music coming from the place on Broadway was too loud and violated the terms of its liquor license.

Management was surprised.

"It never even crossed my mind, I was kind of taken aback by it," said DeGiosio.

In September, the opera house put its liquor license on hold and put in new sound-proofing technology.

Management also worked with borough officials to craft a noise ordinance and some neighbors said it works, like Sandra Reese who lives across the street.

"I sit here, I don't hear nothing and I wish I did hear the music!"

This past spring, the opera house resumed selling alcohol at events, but the loss of about six months of liquor sales, put the opera house's finances in the red.

So, management came up with a fundraiser called Luv it Live and people from all over have donated.

The fundraiser wraps up with a big show next week.

"It's just going to be a wonderful atmosphere."

Opera house management said every seat in the place will be filled when they have their final charity show on July 11 and they said that support is what keeps them going.

"We're just so awesomely grateful to have these kind of people as patrons," said DeGiosio.

Reese has already bought her ticket for Luv it Live and she said Jim Thorpe needs the opera house.

"If they close up, there might not be as many shops, stores, and restaurants to go to."

Newswatch 16 spoke with one of the neighbors who complained. That neighbor said he still hears the music from the opera house and feels it's too loud.

The opera house said there is a difference in volume and has not been hit with any more noise violations.

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