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Matthew Farfan
 2009 marks the 105 th season at the Haskell Opera House. Located on the border in downtown Stanstead, Quebec, and Derby Line, Vermont, the opera house is not only internationally renowned but internationally situated. Indeed, the venerable theatre was built at the turn of the last century astride the Canada-U.S. border.
The Haskell from the Canadian side of the border. (Photo: Matthew Farfan)
The reason for the odd choice of locations was that founders Martha Haskell and her son Horace Stewart Haskell wanted the institution that bears their name to serve the communities in both countries, without patrons having to go through customs. So, ever since opening night in 1904, audiences from communities in both Vermont and Quebec have been entertained by performers on the stage of the Haskell Opera House. And to this day, entrance to the building (from either side of the border) is permitted without passing through customs.
 The Haskell is quite unique. Once featured in Ripley’s Believe It or Not, it is actually home not only to the opera house, but to the Haskell Free Library, located on the ground floor. The Haskell Free Library and Opera House is the only international library and opera house in the world, and tourists from far and wide flock to see it with their own eyes.
Haskell Opera House drop curtain, by artist Erwin LaMoss of Boston. (Photo: Whipple Studio)
The black line across the library floor is always a source of amusement to visitors, as is the fact that the Haskell is the only library in the U.S. with no books (they are on the Canadian side of the building), the only opera house in the U.S. with no stage (it too is in Canada), and the only ibrary in Canada with no door (it's in the U.S.). Architecturally, the Haskell is famous for its Queen Ann style, its use of local granite, its exceptional interior woodwork; its rococo-style opera house, and its original theatre curtain and sets.
 This year, the Haskell is attempting to raise funds. Thanks to the downturn in the economy, which has drastically affected the Haskell’s endowment, costs are currently far exceeding revenues. Due to the generosity of past donors, the Haskell has never had to depend on local municipalities for funding. The management is reluctant to do so now, and prefers instead to appeal directly to patrons of the library and the opera house. One way patrons can contribute is through the “adopt-a-seat” program.
Another way people can help is to attend shows in the opera house. This year’s schedule of performances includes several fundraisers. These include an upcoming bilingual cabaret titled “Stepping Over the Line,” on June 6, and a QNEK production called “Love Letters,” slated for July 25. Indeed, a portion of ticket sales at all Haskell shows goes to support the library.
QNEK is the resident theatre company at the Haskell Opera House, and QNEK manager Lynn Leimer has scheduled an eclectic variety of entertainments for the historic venue’s 105 th season. Shows include “The Great American Songbook,” featuring popular singer Mike Goudreau & Friends (June 20); a performance by New Age pianist Danny Wright (July 10); “Fire in the Sugarhouse,” with Banjo Dan and the Mid-nite Plowboys (July 18); “Anything Goes,” a musical comedy by QNEK (August 7-15); a concert by the Vermont Symphony Orchestra (September 27); and many more.
For more on show times and ticket prices, call the Haskell Opera House at (819) 876-2020, or look for a program at an outlet near you.
A friendly note of caution to patrons. Be sure to park your vehicle on your own side of the border. While pedestrians are free to come and go to both the library and opera house without passing through customs, vehicles must not cross the border without first reporting.
For more on the Haskell, click here.
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