Countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo is leading an effort to revive the Wanamaker Organ in Philadelphia. One of the most famous organs in the world, located in Philadelphia’s Wanamaker Building, faced the risk of silence after Macy’s closure. However, Costanzo, the avant-garde opera star running Opera Philadelphia, is spearheading the initiative to allow the public to once again enjoy this National Historic Landmark.
The organ houses over 28,000 wood and metal pipes behind a wall adorned with gold-leaf pipes in the building’s grand marble atrium. With $1 million in philanthropic support, Costanzo is coordinating a series of public performances this fall before the upcoming renovations to transform the building into a mixed-use hub.
The first event is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 7. “John Wanamaker envisioned this Grand Court as the convergence of arts and commerce, which led to the installation of the world’s largest pipe organ,” explained Costanzo during an onsite interview with The Associated Press.
Originally crafted for the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, the organ was relocated by Wanamaker to his emporium adjacent to City Hall in 1909. Subsequently, Leopold Anthony Stokowski conducted at the organ with the Philadelphia Orchestra, attracting thousands to the great hall and mezzanines.
Now devoid of merchandise, the organ’s acoustics rival those of magnificent cathedrals, offering an unparalleled auditory experience as per Costanzo. With the building’s new owner aiming to integrate art and culture into their redevelopment plans, the organ presents unique considerations.
“The challenge lies in balancing the organ music in the grand atrium with other activities on the upper floors,” noted Jon McMillan, a senior executive at TF Cornerstone.
Local civic groups expressed intentions to raise funds for the revival of the beloved annual holiday light show at the store. Costanzo, a global performer, believes in fostering art enthusiasm by engaging communities at cultural landmarks like the Wanamaker Building, aiming to facilitate connections among individuals in such iconic spaces.
“This location holds profound emotional significance for Philadelphia residents; I hope to introduce them to novel experiences at Wanamaker,” Costanzo said.
