Royal Philharmonic Orchestra celebrate the opening of Orlando’s new performing arts centre

To celebrate the completion of Orlando’s new $612 million Dr Phillips Centre for the Performing Arts, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will perform a series of collaborations with the Royal Ballet, Jennifer Hudson, Leon Bridges, Lyle Lovett and the Bach Festival Choir.

Kathy Ramsberger, president and CEO of the Dr Phillips Centre said: ‘This has been one of the most ambitious performing arts development projects of the 21st century.’ She added: ‘Our collective vision for this building and its purpose was achieved thanks to the perseverance of our board, partners, donors, colleagues and the entire community. Since opening phase one in 2014, more than 2.4 million people have joined us for 2,400 performances, and more than 14,000 donors helped make this vision a reality.’

The two-week opening Grand Celebration Season will begin in January 2022 with performances in Steinmetz Hall, one of the world's most acoustically perfect spaces designed to reach the lowest levels at which humans can detect sound in a modern building. The space can also transform in shape, seating and sound to accommodate a variety of art forms and events.

‘We set out to build one of the greatest performing arts centres in the world—one that could transform our region and serve as a model for the future. And I think we did exactly that,’ said Jim Pugh, chairman of the board at the Dr Phillips Centre. ‘Opening Steinmetz Hall and Judson’s completes the building as it was originally designed when we first started this project some 20 years ago. This is a place that will inspire Orlando for generations to come.’

The London Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will demonstrate the acoustic depth and flexibility of the Hall with a 10-day residency. Performing with artists across different genres, the Orchestra will also perform Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 with the Bach Festival Choir and will end its Orlando residency by joining the world premiere of Duke Ellington's Black, Brown and Beige & Sacred Music, featuring The Jazz Orchestra at Dr Phillips Centre and the Bethune-Cookman University Concert Chorale.

‘Despite many challenges caused by the pandemic, the arts are thriving in our community. Orlando's arts scene continues to grow and will be elevated to new heights in 2022 when Steinmetz Hall opens, and the vision for the Dr Phillips Centre for the Performing Arts becomes a reality,’ said Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer. ‘The arts help connect us as a community and enrich our lives. We should all be proud of how the arts are alive in Orlando.’