Academy of Music
The Philadelphia Academy of Music, affectionately known as "The Grand Old Lady of Locust Street," is a historic concert hall and opera house that has stood as a cultural beacon since its construction in 1855-1857. Designed by architects Napoleon LeBrun and German-born Gustav Runge. The structure embodies Italian Renaissance architectural elegance and the more austere rationalism of the German “Rundbogenstil” (round-arched style). Its auditorium boasts a grand domed ceiling, elaborate chandeliers, and near-perfect acoustics, making it a marvel of both engineering and art.
The Academy of Music owes much of its existence to the vision and leadership of Joseph R. Ingersoll, the first president of the Academy, and Napoleon LeBrun, its co-architect. It was also supported by prominent members of Philadelphia society, who sought to establish the city as a cultural center. Verdi, Wagner, and Tchaikovsky were among the many renowned composers whose works have been performed here.
One of the most significant moments in the Academy’s history occurred in 1873, when it hosted the American premiere of Richard Wagner's “The Flying Dutchman.” This performance marked a turning point, introducing American audiences to the grandeur of Wagnerian opera. Over the years, the Academy has also been the site of numerous presidential visits, including several by Ulysses S. Grant, cementing its place as a stage not only for the arts but also for civic events.
At its founding in 1900, the Philadelphia Orchestra made the Academy of Music its home, and under the leadership of music directors Leopold Stokowski (1912-1938) and Eugene Ormandy (1936-1980, starting as co-director), the orchestra rose to international prominence. Philadelphia contralto Marian Anderson first sang at the Academy of Music in 1918 with the New York Clef Club Syncopated Orchestra, and between 1937 and 1957, she sang here twelve times with the Philadelphia Orchestra. The orchestra moved to the new Kimmel Center in 2001, and in 2024 its orchestral hall was renamed in her honor.
Today, the Philadelphia Academy of Music continues to serve as a cultural hub. Managed by Ensemble Arts Philly, it remains a performance venue for the Pennsylvania Ballet and Opera Philadelphia and is frequently used for concerts, lectures, and community events.
Location and Contact:
The Academy of Music
240 S. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 893-1999
Photo Credit: Visit Philadelphia