Powell Symphony Hall
Encyclopedia
Powell Symphony Hall is the home of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
. It was named after Walter S. Powell
, a local St. Louis businessman, whose widow donated $1 million towards the purchase and use of this hall by the symphony. The hall seats 2,689 people.
In 2001, the building was entered in the National Register of Historic Places
.
architectural firm of Rapp & Rapp. The theater spent the first 40 years of its existence as a stage for live vaudeville
performances as well as motion pictures. The last movie shown in the old theater was The Sound of Music
in 1966. At that time, the building was acquired by the Symphony Society for $500,000, through a gift from Oscar Johnson, Jr.. After spending an additional $2 million to update and renovate the theater, the hall re-opened in January 1968 as the new home of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
The building is said to be haunted by the ghost of a man named George. He is often seen in a white suit and white hat and is thought to be that of a former vaudevillian. He is said to often play with the lights and the elevators.
Carl Stalling
, famous for providing the music to Warner Bros.' Looney Tunes
animated series, began his musical career as an organist
at the St Louis Theater.
The St. Louis Children's Choirs is the official children's choir of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra is an American symphony orchestra based in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1880 by Joseph Otten as the St. Louis Choral Society, the SLSO is the second-oldest symphony orchestra in the United States as it is preceded by the New York Philharmonic.-History:The St...
. It was named after Walter S. Powell
Walter S. Powell
Walter S. Powell was president of the United States Figure Skating Association from 1943 to 1946. After his term was complete, Powell remained very active in the international side of the sport, serving as the first chairman of the USFSA's International Committee from 1946 to 1952...
, a local St. Louis businessman, whose widow donated $1 million towards the purchase and use of this hall by the symphony. The hall seats 2,689 people.
In 2001, the building was entered in the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
History
The building was originally called The St. Louis Theater. It was built in 1925, designed by the ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
architectural firm of Rapp & Rapp. The theater spent the first 40 years of its existence as a stage for live vaudeville
Vaudeville
Vaudeville was a theatrical genre of variety entertainment in the United States and Canada from the early 1880s until the early 1930s. Each performance was made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together on a common bill...
performances as well as motion pictures. The last movie shown in the old theater was The Sound of Music
The Sound of Music (film)
Rodgers and Hammerstein's The Sound of Music is a 1965 American musical film directed by Robert Wise and starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. The film is based on the Broadway musical The Sound of Music, with songs written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, and with the musical...
in 1966. At that time, the building was acquired by the Symphony Society for $500,000, through a gift from Oscar Johnson, Jr.. After spending an additional $2 million to update and renovate the theater, the hall re-opened in January 1968 as the new home of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
The building is said to be haunted by the ghost of a man named George. He is often seen in a white suit and white hat and is thought to be that of a former vaudevillian. He is said to often play with the lights and the elevators.
Carl Stalling
Carl Stalling
Carl W. Stalling was an American composer and arranger for music in animated films. He is most closely associated with the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies shorts produced by Warner Bros., where he averaged one complete score each week, for 22 years.-Biography:Stalling was born to Ernest and...
, famous for providing the music to Warner Bros.' Looney Tunes
Looney Tunes
Looney Tunes is a Warner Bros. animated cartoon series. It preceded the Merrie Melodies series and was Warner Bros.'s first animated theatrical series. Since its first official release, 1930's Sinkin' in the Bathtub, the series has become a worldwide media franchise, spawning several television...
animated series, began his musical career as an organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
at the St Louis Theater.
The St. Louis Children's Choirs is the official children's choir of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
See also
- Saint Louis Symphony OrchestraSaint Louis Symphony OrchestraThe Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra is an American symphony orchestra based in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1880 by Joseph Otten as the St. Louis Choral Society, the SLSO is the second-oldest symphony orchestra in the United States as it is preceded by the New York Philharmonic.-History:The St...
- Fox Theatre (St. Louis)Fox Theatre (St. Louis)The Fox Theatre, a former movie palace, is a performing arts center located at 527 N. Grand Blvd. in St. Louis, Missouri. Also known as "The Fabulous Fox", it is situated in the arts district of the Grand Center area in Midtown St. Louis, one block north of Saint Louis University...
- List of concert halls