RPAC Reaches Agreements with Philadelphia Orchestra and Full Roster of Resident Performing Arts Companies
Signs 99-Year Lease for Academy of Music
June 27, 2001
Willard G. Rouse III, Chairman of the Regional Performing Arts Center, and RPAC President Leslie Anne Miller today joined Philadelphia Orchestra Association Chairman Richard L. Smoot, Opera Company of Philadelphia Executive Director Jack Mulroney, Pennsylvania Ballet Executive Director Michael Scolamiero, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia Board President William H. Roberts, Esq., and Philadelphia Chamber Music Society President Elizabeth Glendinning in signing agreements naming the companies as official residents of The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Academy of Music. Also participating were the Presidents and Executive Directors of three companies that had earlier reached agreements with RPAC: PHILADANCO, American Theater Arts for Youth, Inc., and Peter Nero and the Philly Pops®.
Also announced was a 99-year lease agreement between RPAC and the Academy of Music, Inc. RPAC, which owns The Kimmel Center, will manage the historic Academy, which was built in 1857 as an opera house and was purchased by The Philadelphia Orchestra in 1957.
"Our highest goal has always been to enrich the Greater Philadelphia community by uniting two landmarks--The Kimmel Center and the Academy of Music--in one unprecedented cultural destination that will be home and host to a broad range of Philadelphia’s greatest performing arts groups", said Mr. Rouse. "Thanks to these historic agreements, this goal has been realized."
The signing ceremony took place at The Kimmel Center’s construction site. Witnessing the signing was internationally renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman. Mr. Perlman will perform as a soloist, along with cellist Yo-Yo Ma and pianist Emanuel Ax, at the Orchestra’s Inaugural Gala Concert in The Kimmel Center’s Verizon Hall on Saturday, December 15, 2001, and on Sunday, April 28, 2002, as a guest artist during RPAC’s Inaugural Season.
"What a thrill and honor it is to come together for this truly historic moment: the completion of agreements with the remarkable companies that will reside in The Kimmel Center and the Academy of Music", said Ms. Miller. "Combining the beautiful, state-of-the-art venues provided by RPAC with the performances of these acclaimed groups will create something greater than the sum of our parts, and it is our community that will reap the benefits."
- Founded in 1900, The Philadelphia Orchestra has distinguished itself as one of the leading orchestras in the world through a century of acclaimed performances, historic international tours, and best-selling recordings. Led by Music Director Wolfgang Sawallisch since 1993, the Orchestra recently celebrated its 100th anniversary with a series of special performances, publications, tours, and broadcasts. The Orchestra will have scheduling priority in Verizon Hall, which was specifically designed to serve as the Orchestra’s new home concert hall. With some 120 performances per season, The Philadelphia Orchestra will be the single largest presenter within The Kimmel Center.
- Under the leadership of General Director Robert B. Driver, the Opera Company of Philadelphia is one of the fastest-growing opera companies in North America. It will present an expanded number of productions and performances as a Resident Company in the Academy of Music.
- Featuring 39 professional dancers from the United States and abroad, and led by Artistic Director Roy Kaiser, Pennsylvania Ballet is one of America’s leading ballet companies. The Ballet will continue to offer the beloved Nutcracker in the Academy of Music, and will program other traditional and new works throughout the year.
- Founded in 1964 (as Concerto Soloists Chamber Orchestra) by current Artistic Director Marc Mostovoy, The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia is the city’s internationally acclaimed chamber orchestra. Under the baton of Principal Conductor Ignat Solzhenitsyn, the Chamber Orchestra will perform 20-28 concerts annually, including special multimedia events, all of which will be presented in Perelman Theater.
- The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society is one of the leading musical presenters in the United States. Under the leadership of Anthony P. Checchia, Artistic Director, and Philip Maneval, Executive Director, PCMS features the world’s leading chamber music ensembles and piano, string, and vocal recitalists in more than 50 concerts each year, 20-30 of which will be presented in Perelman Theater.
On behalf of all the Resident Companies, Mr. Mulroney of the Opera Company said, "Credit is due to so many for this remarkable achievement, including members of the RPAC and Resident Company boards, as well as the Presidents, Executive Directors, and staffs of all the groups. Making our homes in The Kimmel Center and the Academy of Music will forever transform our companies, and inaugurate a wonderful new era in Philadelphia’s cultural life. We look forward to December 16, 2001, and letting the shows begin!"
The 450,000-square-foot Kimmel Center is located at Broad and Spruce Streets along Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts. Designed by internationally acclaimed architect Rafael Viñoly, The Kimmel Center joins the historic Academy of Music to become one of the nation’s largest and most active performing arts complexes. The Kimmel Center features 2,500-seat Verizon Hall, a state-of-the-art concert hall with acoustics designed by Russell Johnson for The Philadelphia Orchestra, and 650-seat Perelman Theater. The landmark building is named in honor of Philadelphia businessman and philanthropist Sidney Kimmel, who gave the largest individual gift toward its construction.
In addition to The Philadelphia Orchestra, Verizon Hall will be home to Peter Nero and the Philly Pops®. Residing in Perelman Theater will be The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, PHILADANCO, American Theater Arts for Youth, Inc., and The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia. The Academy of Music, which will be managed by RPAC, will host the Opera Company of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Ballet.
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