Hamilton City Council has voted unanimously to rename the Great Hall at FirstOntario Concert Hall — Hamilton’s premier classical concert venue — in honour of the late maestro Boris Brott. The gesture of recognition has touched the Brott family.
The motion was initiated by Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger at a council meeting on June 22. It cites not only Brott’s musical accomplishments, but his tireless boosting of Hamilton and its culture.
Brott’s name will appear on Main Street, outside the building, with a memorial plaque inside FirstOntario Concert Hall.
The late maestro’s family have issued a statement about the move.
“We are honoured, and I know Boris would be too. He conducted the very first note of music performed in the Boris Brott Great Hall nearly 50 years ago,” said wife Ardyth Brott.
“We were touched so many in the community felt strongly that such a naming would be an appropriate memorial to Boris. We want to thank Mayor Eisenberger, Hamilton City Council, FirstOntario Concert Hall and those who worked behind the scenes to make this happen.”
“Boris worked very closely with acoustics experts as it was being built. He has conducted in countless halls across North America and the great theatres and opera houses in Europe. He loved this Great Hall more than any hall in North America. He considered it right up there as one of the finest in the world. That makes this honour all the more meaningful.”
Brott died suddenly in a hit-and-run accident in April.
The official renaming announcement will be made at the launch of the 35th anniversary season of Brott’s namesake Brott Music Festival on June 30.
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