Editing Academy of Music (section)

== Philadelphia Orchestra ==

The Philadelphia Orchestra made the Academy of Music its home from the orchestra's founding in 1900 until its move to the Kimmel Center's Verizon Hall in 2001. During this century, the orchestra achieved international renown under conductors including Leopold Stokowski, Eugene Ormandy, and Riccardo Muti. The Academy's acoustics suited the orchestra's rich sound, and the historic venue's prestige complemented the ensemble's cultural authority. The orchestra's departure for a purpose-built modern hall ended an association that defined both institutions.<ref name="armstrong"/>

The orchestra returns to the Academy for its annual Academy Ball and occasional special performances, maintaining connection to the hall that shaped its identity. The Academy's acoustics, different from Verizon Hall's contemporary design, offer qualities that some listeners prefer. The historic setting provides atmosphere that new construction cannot replicate, reminding audiences of the Orchestra's long Philadelphia history.<ref name="gallery"/>