Philadelphia Opera Company
| Company type | Opera company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Performing arts |
| Founded | 1938 |
| Founder | Sylvan Levin |
| Defunct | 1944 |
| Fate | Ceased operations due to financial constraints |
| Headquarters | Philadelphia , United States |
Area served | Philadelphia |
The Philadelphia Opera Company denotes two separate opera organizations based in Philadelphia, active during the twentieth century. The initial company, created by impresario Oscar Hammerstein I in 1908, ceased operations after two years due to monetary challenges. The latter organization, founded by conductor Sylvan Levin in 1938, functioned for six years before closing in 1944, likewise because of financial constraints.
Hammerstein's Philadelphia Opera Company: 1908-1910
In 1907, Oscar Hammerstein I engaged architect William H. McElfatrick to construct the Philadelphia Opera House located at 858 North Broad Street. Completed in 1908 expressly for Hammerstein’s new opera venture, the company showcased prominent artists including Lina Cavalieri, John McCormack, Mary Garden, and Giovanni Zenatello throughout its short existence.
Levin's Philadelphia Opera Company: 1938-1944
The second iteration of the Philadelphia Opera Company was established by Sylvan Levin in 1938. Most of its performances took place at the Academy of Music until its final season when it relocated to the Erlanger Theatre. The company’s debut production was Puccini’s La bohème on January 19, 1939, while its concluding show was Strauss II’s Die Fledermaus on February 18, 1944. Noteworthy events included presenting the first staged version of Gian Carlo Menotti’s The Old Maid and the Thief in 1941 and premiering Deems Taylor’s Ramuntcho in 1942.