Symphony Hall, Springfield
Encyclopedia
Symphony Hall is a concert venue in Springfield, Massachusetts
. Constructed between 1911-1913 and originally known as "The Auditorium," Symphony Hall is renowned as much for its "perfect acoustics" as it is for its Greek Revival architecture. It is part of the architecturally significant Springfield Municipal Group
, and sits beside an ornate, 300 foot tall Italianate Campanile
, which, in turn, is located next to Springfield's Greek Revival City Hall. The Municipal Complex's architecture is a notable example of the City Beautiful style made popular by Daniel Burnham
, an architect from Chicago, Illinois, in the early 20th century. The Springfield Municipal Complex was dedicated by President William Howard Taft
in December 1913. In his dedication, Taft praised the three buildings as "one of the most distinctive civic centers in the nation, and indeed, the world."
Symphony Hall has a current seating capacity of 2,611 people. Initially it seated over 1,000 more people; however, it has been renovated several times to meet modern seating standards - and modern body sizes - and thus lost seats. The Auditorium was renamed Symphony Hall during the 1940s, after it became the main performance venue for the progressive Springfield Symphony Orchestra
. It is also home to Broadway
-style theatre, children’s programming, internationally-recognized speakers, as well as numerous concerts and performances.
Springfield Symphony Hall was rededicated in 1980 and underwent an extensive renovation in the fall of 2004.
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
. Constructed between 1911-1913 and originally known as "The Auditorium," Symphony Hall is renowned as much for its "perfect acoustics" as it is for its Greek Revival architecture. It is part of the architecturally significant Springfield Municipal Group
Springfield Municipal Group
The Municipal Group of Springfield, Massachusetts is a collection of three prominent municipal buildings in the city's Metro Center district. Consisting of a concert hall, City Hall, and a clocktower, the Group is a center of government and culture in the city.-Layout:Bounded by Court and Pynchon...
, and sits beside an ornate, 300 foot tall Italianate Campanile
Campanile
Campanile is an Italian word meaning "bell tower" . The term applies to bell towers which are either part of a larger building or free-standing, although in American English, the latter meaning has become prevalent.The most famous campanile is probably the Leaning Tower of Pisa...
, which, in turn, is located next to Springfield's Greek Revival City Hall. The Municipal Complex's architecture is a notable example of the City Beautiful style made popular by Daniel Burnham
Daniel Burnham
Daniel Hudson Burnham, FAIA was an American architect and urban planner. He was the Director of Works for the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. He took a leading role in the creation of master plans for the development of a number of cities, including Chicago and downtown Washington DC...
, an architect from Chicago, Illinois, in the early 20th century. The Springfield Municipal Complex was dedicated by President William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft was the 27th President of the United States and later the tenth Chief Justice of the United States...
in December 1913. In his dedication, Taft praised the three buildings as "one of the most distinctive civic centers in the nation, and indeed, the world."
Symphony Hall has a current seating capacity of 2,611 people. Initially it seated over 1,000 more people; however, it has been renovated several times to meet modern seating standards - and modern body sizes - and thus lost seats. The Auditorium was renamed Symphony Hall during the 1940s, after it became the main performance venue for the progressive Springfield Symphony Orchestra
Springfield Symphony Orchestra
The Springfield Symphony Orchestra is an orchestra based in Springfield, Massachusetts. It performs at Symphony Hall, a part of the Springfield Municipal Group....
. It is also home to Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
-style theatre, children’s programming, internationally-recognized speakers, as well as numerous concerts and performances.
Springfield Symphony Hall was rededicated in 1980 and underwent an extensive renovation in the fall of 2004.