Academy of Music (Philadelphia)

The Academy of Music in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the oldest opera house in the United States that is still used for its original purpose. Known as the "Grand Old Lady of Broad Street," the venue is the home for the Pennsylvania Ballet as well as the Opera Company of Philadelphia. For many years, it was also the home of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and orchestral concerts are still held there.

Related Topics:
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - United States - Pennsylvania Ballet - Opera Company of Philadelphia - Philadelphia Orchestra

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Construction began in 1855 and the venue opened with a grand ball on January 26, 1857. The first opera performed there was the western hemisphere premiere of Verdi's Il Trovatore, on February 25 of the same year. The Academy has been in continuous use since, hosting many world-famous performers, conductors and composers, and a significant number of American premiers of works in the standard operatic and classical repertoire. It is also used for non-musical events: Grover Cleveland and Richard Nixon officiated at ceremonies there, and Albert Einstein once lectured.

Related Topics:
1855 - January 26 - 1857 - Western hemisphere - Verdi - Il Trovatore - February 25 - Grover Cleveland - Richard Nixon - Albert Einstein

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The hall is designed in the manner of the grand opera houses of Europe, with an elaborately painted ceiling and three levels of balcony, each festooned with gilt eagles and other decorations. The space is dominated by an ornate proscenium, and a crystal chandelier 16 feet across.

Related Topics:
Grand opera - Europe - Proscenium

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While the name sometimes causes visitors to expect a conservatory, the Academy has never had a faculty or offered classes of any kind. Various voice and instrumental competitions have taken place there, including the Pavarotti competition.

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Although the Academy's press releases have always spoken of the excellent acoustics, performers have generally found them problematic. The cavernous spaces that allow for rapid set changes during an operatic performance do not make for good resonance. It is generally accepted that the so-called Philadelphia sound was at least in part devised to compensate for this weakness. Extensive renovations beginning in 1994 have improved matters, but microphones and amplification are still necessary in nearly all performances.

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