WORTH THE DRIVE: Cincinnati Music Hall an architectural masterpiece dedicated to the arts

The sprawling building opened to the public May 14, 1877 and served two functions: to house musical activities in the center and industrial exhibitions in the side wings, according to the Society of Preservation of Music Hall web site.

Designed by Samuel Hannaford in the High Victorian Gothic architectural style, the elegant building covers 2½ acres and spans 372-feet along Elm Street. The tallest point, the pinnacle on the front gable, is 150-feet high.

Inside the ornate elegance continues. A 1,500-pound Czechoslavakian crystal chandelier hangs in Springer Auditiorium. It measures 21-feet in diameter and has 96 candles, each with a 60-watt bulb. Every other year it is lowered and cleaned by hand, a process that takes 2½ days.

In earlier years, the Music Hall hosted tennis matches, presidential speeches, a roller-skating academy and organ concerts. Today, musical artists still take center stage and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra performs soundtracks to Harry Potter movies.

The building was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1975. In mid-2016 the Music Hall closed for extensive renovations and reopened in October 2017.

A massive $143 million dollar renovation of this historic venue was undertaken from June 2016 until October 2017. Architect Samuel Hannaford designed the building in the High Victorian Gothic Revival architectural style.

Music Hall is home to a number of Cincinnati arts groups including the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the Cincinnati Opera and Cincinnati Ballet.

Upcoming events include Black Violin on April 16, the Jeff Tweedy Warm Tour on April, 17 and the Music of Whitney Houston April 23.

WANT TO GO? 

WHAT: Cincinnati Music Hall

WHERE: 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati

MORE INFO: The Society for the Preservation of Music Hall offers tours and speakers. For more information or to arrange a tour: http://www.spmhcincinnati.org/.  For tickets and events: https://www.cincinnatiarts.org/music-hall