Academy of Music (Philadelphia)

The Academy of Music is a 19th-century opera house on Broad Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, opened in 1857 and notable as one of the oldest continuously operating opera houses in the United States.

The building contains a Victorian-era horseshoe-shaped auditorium with ornate boxes and decorative plasterwork. It serves as a performance venue for opera, orchestral concerts, and ballet and has hosted major local music companies and touring ensembles.

Designed by architect Napoleon LeBrun and completed in the mid 19th century, the theatre was built by a civic academy for music and performance and has been used continuously for public performances since its opening. Over time the interior has been maintained and restored to preserve its historic decorative scheme.

The Academy sits on Broad Street in Philadelphia’s Center City arts district, close to City Hall and other cultural institutions along the Avenue of the Arts.

• Opening year: Opened in 1857 and is one of the United States' oldest continuously operating opera houses.
• Architect and location: Designed by architect Napoleon LeBrun and located on Broad Street in Center City Philadelphia near City Hall and the Avenue of the Arts.

What to See #

• Main auditorium: Houses the main horseshoe-shaped performance auditorium used for operas, concerts, and ballets; the auditorium dates to the original 1857 design and retains Victorian-era decorative features.
• Facade and lobbies: Front facade and lobby areas retain 19th-century architectural detailing and ceremonial staircases that lead to the audience boxes and private salons.