Academy of Music Tickets

The Academy of Music Philadelphia has been host to a myriad of performances including classical concerts, modern music performances, plays, operas, and ballets since 1857! Academy of Music is oldest known opera house still used to house operatic performances!

For almost two centuries, the Philadelphia Academy of Music has been a mainstay of the Pennsylvania arts and culture scene. Affectionately known as the ‘Grand Old Lady of Locust Street,’ it holds the prestigious accolade of the oldest active opera house in the USA.

Today, the venue hosts everything from college graduations to Broadway shows, Grammy award winners, comedians, and musicians. Located at the intersection of Broad Street and Locust Street in the Avenue of the Arts Area, it forms one of three venues in the prestigious Ensemble Arts Philly portfolio. Ensemble Arts relies on ticket sales and tax-deductible donations to maintain the upkeep of its historic properties. In return, it delivers a range of multi-genre performances from theater to dance and comedy.

The Philadelphia Academy of Music officially opened its doors on January 26, 1857. The gala opening followed on from five previous attempts in 16 years to bring a grand opera house to Philadelphia. It was worth the wait – over the course of two centuries, the venue has seen such acts as: Adelina Patti, Birgit Nilsson, The Catherine Littlefield Ballet Company, The Philadelphia Orchestra Association, Tony Bennett, Noel Gallagher and many more. The property became a National Historic Landmark in 1962, cementing its status as one of Philadelphia’s leading entertainment venues. While Broadway shows like Frozen are regular fixtures, it has played many roles over the years. In 1993, just one year prior to a significant refurb, the building featured in Martin Scorsese’s The Age of Innocence.

While the building is known as an academy, it has never housed a music school. Instead, it has played host to opera and ballet companies as well as some of the finest American entertainers around. With performances for all the family, the Philadelphia Academy of Music is steeped in history and culture.

There are 2,509 seats in total, alternatively 2,389 without seats in the orchestra pit.

Featuring seating across 4 floors, patrons should be aware that due to the building’s age, some seats, largely due to the 15 support columns that provide support to the balcony. These seats are clearly marked on the online seating chart when you make your booking online.

The interior of the Academy of Music theatre is a spectacle in itself; a 5,000 lb chandelier hangs in the center of the ceiling. Upon the proscenium is a bust of Mozart, while above it, on the cornice, are notable figures of Poetry to the left and Music to the right. Charles Bushor and Joseph A. Bailly are responsible for the extensive carvings and wooden sculpture decorations throughout the theatre.