There were five unsuccessful attempts to raise funds to build an opera house, and the first official stock subscription wasn't sold as quickly as officials had hoped. Then, in October 1854, the first advertisement for a new opera house appeared. After the failed second attempt, the Academy decided to move to a new location on 313 South Broad Street.
Since opening its doors on January 26, 1857, the Academy has grown into a cultural landmark in Philadelphia and across the United States. It is also the oldest musical auditorium in the country. Despite the change in a century, the Academy of Music has preserved its original form and purpose. It continues to be one of the leading centers of cultural life in the United States. Here, you can catch a performance by an internationally acclaimed artist.
