FirstOntario Concert Hall

FirstOntario Concert Hall is a music and performing arts venue in downtown Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The venue was originally known as Hamilton Place, and in 1998, became known as the Ronald V. Joyce Centre for the Performing Arts at Hamilton Place[3] after receiving a donation from the Joyce Family Foundation.[1] In 2016 FirstOntario Credit Union made a $2.5 million deal for the naming rights.[4]

FirstOntario Concert Hall
FirstOntario Concert Hall
Former namesHamilton Place (1973–1998), Ronald V. Joyce Centre for the Performing Arts at Hamilton Place (1998–2016)[1]
Address1 Summers Lane
Hamilton, Ontario
L8P 4Y2
Coordinates43.2563°N 79.87188°W / 43.2563; -79.87188
OwnerCity of Hamilton
OperatorCore Entertainment (Comcast Spectacor)
TypeTheatre, Concert Hall
Capacity2,193[2]
Construction
Built1972 (1972)
Opened1973 (1973)[3]
Construction cost$11 million[3]
ArchitectTrevor P. Garwood-Jones[3]
Website
www.coreentertainment.ca/venues/detail/firstontario-concert-hall

The venue is the permanent home of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and Opera Hamilton.[3]

Description

There are 2 theatres located within FirstOntario Concert Hall. The main theatre (known as the Great Hall) features 2 suspended balconies and has a seating capacity of 2,193. The stage is 37.35 m wide, and has an adjustable depth from 11.4 m to 16.2 m. The Great Hall is recognized internationally for its outstanding acoustics. The smaller theatre is known as The Studio (formerly The Studio at Hamilton Place) and can accommodate up to 350 people. The venue also features rehearsal, break, and dressing rooms, as well as a private courtyard and a large loading dock that is shared with the Hamilton Convention Centre and the Ellen Fairclough Building. FirstOntario Concert Hall is directly connected to the Hamilton Convention Centre via the theatre's main lobby, and shares a common outdoor plaza and sculpture court with the Convention Centre and the Art Gallery of Hamilton known as Commonwealth Square, located above Summers Lane, and accessible via the theatre's mezzanine.[3]

Performances

FirstOntario Concert Hall has hosted musicians and performing artists including Tony Bennett, Leonard Cohen, Morrissey, Chris de Burgh, Sarah McLachlan, Sharon, Lois & Bram, Tangerine Dream, The Proclaimers, Tori Amos, and The Tragically Hip. Comedians Billy Connolly, Margaret Cho and Norm Macdonald have performed at the venue, as well as classic rockers Heart. Theatrical runs have included performances of A Chorus Line, Evita and The Color Purple, in addition to dance-based shows such as Moulin Rouge: The Ballet and Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance.

In 1983 both the live concert video Chris de Burgh The Video and the stand-up comedy film Bill Cosby: Himself were recorded at the Hamilton Place Concert Hall.[5]

Images
  • The Great Hall at FirstOntario Concert Hall's stage viewed from the first balcony
    The Great Hall at FirstOntario Concert Hall's stage viewed from the first balcony
  • Great Hall at FirstOntario Concert Hall's Seating viewed from the stage
    Great Hall at FirstOntario Concert Hall's Seating viewed from the stage
  • Great Hall at FirstOntario Concert Hall's backstage area
    Great Hall at FirstOntario Concert Hall's backstage area
  • Great Hall at FirstOntario Concert Hall's Fly system
    Great Hall at FirstOntario Concert Hall's Fly system
  • Steinway & Sons square grand piano in the Great Hall of FirstOntario Concert Hall
    Steinway & Sons square grand piano in the Great Hall of FirstOntario Concert Hall
  • Lobby and mezzanine located within FirstOntario Concert Hall's atrium. The connection to the Hamilton Convention Centre is located in the lobby, and the exit to Commonwealth Square is located on the mezzanine level
    Lobby and mezzanine located within FirstOntario Concert Hall's atrium. The connection to the Hamilton Convention Centre is located in the lobby, and the exit to Commonwealth Square is located on the mezzanine level
  • "Canadac", a Stelcoloy sculpture by Kosso Eloul located at Commonwealth Square
    "Canadac", a Stelcoloy sculpture by Kosso Eloul located at Commonwealth Square

See also

References
  1. "A Brief History of our Concert Hall". Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  2. "Book an Event at FirstOntario Concert Hall". Core Entertainment. Retrieved November 3, 2017. FirstOntario Concert Hall has a capacity of up to 8,963...
  3. Betts, Lorne; Church, Sarah; Hall, Frederick A. (December 16, 2013). "Hamilton Place". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  4. Van Dongen, Matthew (December 7, 2016). "FirstOntario Credit Union buys naming rights for Hamilton Place". The Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  5. Canby, Vincent (May 21, 1983). "Bill Cosby's Highlights (Published 1983)". The New York Times.
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