Academy of Music
Broad and Locust Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Tickets: 215.893.1999
www.academyofmusic.org
The Academy of Music opened in 1857 and is the oldest grand opera house in the United States still used for its original purpose. Modeled on Italy’s famous La Scala in Milan, the Academy quickly became America’s most prestigious opera house, for a time rivaling New York’s competing offerings. Over the years, in addition to serving the performing arts community, the Academy has been the site of numerous graduation ceremonies and has also hosted or participated in several presidential conventions. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1963, the Academy of Music has benefited from millions of dollars raised by the Restoration Fund for the Academy of Music for various renovations and restorations during the past 50 years.
The Academy of Music served as The Philadelphia Orchestra’s main concert hall for more than a century, from the ensemble’s founding in 1900 until the opening of The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in December 2001. The Orchestra purchased the Academy in 1957 and still performs there each year on the occasion of the Academy’s anniversary.
Still owned by The Philadelphia Orchestra Association, the Academy of Music is now operated and managed by Kimmel Center, Inc. Together, The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Academy of Music serve as the primary performance venues for a variety of the region’s most prominent performing arts companies. The 2,900-seat Academy of Music continues as home of major annual seasons offered by the Pennsylvania Ballet and the Opera Company of Philadelphia.
Hall Information
Completed in 1857, this 2,900-seat house is both a celebrated historic landmark and a contemporary concert hall in which to celebrate the cultural life of the city. Recent renovations include a major backstage modernization.
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