The historic Wanamaker Building has been filled with new life this fall, thanks to the presence of Opera Philadelphia and its popular PIPE UP! performance series. The building’s iconic Grand Court has once again been filled with music, dance, art and more and soon, it will see the return of several holiday events, including the annual Wanamaker Light Show, Dickens Village, and a one-night-only concert by Opera Philadelphia, titled “Home for the Holidays.”
Taking place on Tuesday, Dec. 2, the special holiday concert stars Opera Philadelphia’s Orchestra and Chorus, led by conductor Geoffrey McDonald, performing an evening of familiar favorites with some delightful surprises sprinkled in.
Joining the Opera will be the company’s General Director and President, countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, and renowned soprano and winner of Philly native Leah Hawkins, the 2024 recipient of the Metropolitan Opera’s Beverly Sills Artist Award.
“I am thrilled to bring to bear the full scale and excitement of our orchestra and chorus in this historic space, bolstered by the incredible twenty-nine-thousand pipe Wanamaker Grand Court Organ with organist Peter Richard Conte pulling out all the stops from the organ console on the mezzanine,” said Anthony Roth Costanzo. “Along with dazzling projections and festive footwork, it feels like a culmination of all the energy, passion, and life that audiences and artists have brought to the building this fall.”
The evening, produced in partnership with WHYY, will also be recorded for a special holiday broadcast, taking place on Tuesday, Dec. 23, at 8 p.m. Home for the Holidays will air simultaneously on WHYY-TV12, on WHYY 90.9 FM, and stream via WHYY.org.
For tickets and more information, visit operaphila.org/pipeup.
