How Carnegie Music Hall’s Renovations Will Increase Comfort … – Pittsburgh Magazine

One of the oldest centers of musical culture in Pittsburgh is undergoing the first major renovations in its 128-year history, including the addition of air conditioning.

Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland, erected in 1895 as part of the Carnegie Museums and Library building on Forbes Avenue, is being improved for theater-goer comfort while preserving its historic charm.

The $8 million renovation project is being managed by historic preservation specialists Volpatt Construction and includes a new HVAC system, wider accessible seating for those with disabilities, paint and plaster restoration and updated electrical work.

“Carnegie Music Hall is a cultural treasure of historical significance, not just to Carnegie Museums but all of Pittsburgh,” Steven Knapp, president and CEO of Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, said in a press release. “This renovation will allow us to use this celebrated venue year-round and welcome all audiences in greater comfort.”

Work will include restoring the grand proscenium arch and preserving the murals throughout the hall, with architectural design by Gensler and engineering by CJL. 

THE CHAIRS INSIDE CARNEGIE MUSIC HALL HAVE BEEN REMOVED FOR THE $8 MILLION RENOVATION PROJECT THAT WILL BE COMPLETED IN EARLY 2024. | PHOTOS COURTESY OF MICHAEL VOLPATT, VOLPATT CONSTRUCTION

Demolition work began in June, and project manager Perry Cansick says all of the chairs have been removed and crews are completing the carpentry work to rebuild the depths of the aisles for more ADA compliance. Performances are currently on hold and the project is slated for completion in early 2024.

FABRIC WAS COLLECTED FROM THE CARNEGIE MUSIC HALL CHAIRS AND DONATED TO PITTSBURGH’S ENVIRONMENTAL NEWSLETTER, THE GREEN VOICE, FOR ITS ECOLUTION FASHION GALA.

“We didn’t want the chairs to end up in the dumpster, so we gave some of them to museum donors and Construction Junction and recycled a lot of the metal,” Michael Volpatt, vice president of marketing and innovation at Volpatt Construction, explains. “We donated the chair fabric to The Green Voice (a monthly Pittsburgh newsletter offering stories of sustainability, advice on how to live more green, and information on events and festivals). A designer is going to make a piece of clothing with it for their Ecolution Fashion Gala.”

Thousands of performances have taken place inside of the historic hall over the years, with musical greats such as Luciano Pavoratti, Ella Fitzgerald, Arlo Guthrie, Bernadette Peters, Patti Smith and David Byrne gracing the stage.

When the hall opened, Andrew Carnegie’s goal was to make the space the center of music culture in Pittsburgh with free organ recitals, which continued into the 1970s, the release reads.

There are 8,600 pipes in the music hall organ, and the largest, at 32 feet long, weighs 1,000 pounds.

THE PITTSBURGH ORCHESTRA PERFORMS IN CARNEGIE MUSIC HALL IN THE EARLY 1900S. | PHOTO COURTESY OF CARNEGIE MUSEUMS OF PITTSBURGH

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra traces its roots to the music hall, founded by the Pittsburgh Arts Society with conductor Frederic Archer in 1895. The inaugural concert was held Nov. 5, 1895. 

“This project will allow us to welcome our visitors in a more comfortable setting,” Betsy Momich, senior director of communications with Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, says. “The hall has never been used in the summer, which was such a waste because it’s such a beautiful space for performers. What we hope is when people walk into the hall, not much will have changed in their minds. It’s about keeping the historic beauty of the hall; we want them to feel at home there as they always have.”