Posted at: 10/07/2009 5:01 PM | WHEC.com
Updated at: 10/08/2009 8:24 AM
By: Nikki Rudd
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Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre opens tonight
It's the moment music-lovers and musicians with the RPO have been waiting for - the opening of a new and improved Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. Renovations have been going on for months and tonight, the public will get its first look.
The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra will perform to a sold-out crowd for its season opener.
It doesn't look much different from the outside but once inside, get ready for a visual and acoustical transformation. It still has its grand Italian renaissance style but now Kodak Hall features a new sound system. The seating has changed also. About 800 seats were removed and orchestra and mezzanine level boxes were put in. It’s all in-line with George Eastman’s original vision.
Eastman Kodak Chairman & CEO Antonio Perez said, “This is exactly what he wanted, he loved music, he loved Rochester and this is what he wanted.”
Eighty-seven years later, here we are.
University of Rochester President Joel Seligman said, “We enter the 21st century in Eastman Theatre today.”
It's all part of a nearly $47-million dollar project thanks in part to donations from Eastman Kodak and funds from New York state.
Joel said, “We think the arts are important to economic development in Rochester and today we make a very critical step forward in strengthening downtown Rochester’s revitalization.”
This is just phase one of the project. Part two includes a new wing and recital hall. Construction will continue for another year with the dedication of the complete project in 2011.
