Philadelphia Orchestra Renames Verizon Hall Marian Anderson Hall

Verizon Hall, interior view. — Verizon Hall, Kimmel Centre (Photo: Meyer Sound)

This week, the Philadelphia Orchestra announced a name change for their concert hall. Following a 25 million dollar gift, Verizon Hall will be renamed Marian Anderson Hall, honouring the renowned contralto.

Digging deeper: Richard Worley, former chair of the Philadelphia Orchestra’s board, and his wife Leslie Miller made the legendary donation. The former financier and his wife expressed a wish to honour the trailblazing contralto who broke racial barriers and shared her formidable artistry despite civil rights adversity.

Why it matters: Worley and Miller’s donation is one of the largest in the Philadelphia Orchestra’s history. It comes in an era when the Philadelphia Orchestra, under Yannick Nézét-Séguin’s leadership, has made efforts to create a more racially diverse, representative art form. Kudos to Worley and Miller for honouring Anderson; a formidable Philadelphian who overcame so much to touch the hearts of many.

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Sara Schabas

Sara Schabas is a Dora-nominated soprano, writer and yoga teacher. She has performed and created leading roles with companies including Vancouver Opera, Pacific Opera Victoria, the Dayton Opera, and Aspen Opera, and is a former member of Barbara Hannigan’s Equilibrium Young Artists. Currently based in Montreal, she is a doctoral student at McGill University — where she recently received the Wirth Vocal Prize — and editor of Art Song Canada magazine.