Entertainment at Symphony Hall
Ever since its completion in 1900, the hall has been available for outside organizations to rent, and the space has been used for far more than orchestra concerts. Here are three examples of the various activities that have occurred in Symphony Hall over the years.
An empty reel used for storing 16mm film
The Silver Screen: Film at Symphony Hall
Ticket to the May 1, 1913 screening of Charles L. Gaskill’s Cleopatra, starring Helen Gardner
Helen Gardner founded the first production company ever created by a film actor (of any gender). Cleopatra was the first film she produced, as well as being one of the first feature films produced in the U.S.
Program for Edward P. Sullivan and William Cavanaugh's Evangeline, screened at Symphony Hall on April 27-29, 1914
Based on Longfellow's poem of the same name, the film stars Laura Lyman and John F. Carleton. Produced by the Canadian Bioscope Company, the film is the first known Canadian feature film.
Program for premiere of the silent film version of Carmen, October 1-12, 1915
Opera star Geraldine Farrar made her "photo dramatic" debut in Cecil de Mille's silent movie Carmen. An orchestra conducted by Hugo Reisenfeld accompanied the film in an arrangement of Bizet's music. Jesse L. Lasky presented the film by arrangement with Morris Gest.
Program for World War I propaganda films shown in Symphony Hall, November 10, 1917
The film included the following segments: American submarines in Action; United States Torpedo Boat Flotilla; and the 1917 Recruit, Training in Trench Warfare; and was followed by a fundraising appeal by Rev. Paul Revere Frothingham.
Poster for Frank Lloyd's The Sea Hawk, Symphony Hall, August 25, 1924
The “golden” days of the 16th century when pirates sailed the high seas are unfolded in a richly romantic film, The Sea Hawk, adapted from Rafael Sabatini's stirring novel. A First National Pictures film, it was directed by Lloyd and stars Milton Sills, Enid Bennett, Wallace Beery, and Lloyd Hughes.
Program for Winds of Chance, shown in Symphony Hall August 24-September 12, 1925
Frank Lloyd's 1925 film about the Alaskan Gold Rush is based on a novel by Rex Beach.
Program for the 1925 film Battleship Potemkin by director Sergei Eisenstein and the 1926 film Manon Lescaut starring Lya de Putti
Potemkin, shown in Symphony Hall on October 25-27, 1927, was produced in the Soviet Union by Sovkino and directed by Serge Eisenstein. It is based on the revolt of the armored cruiser Prince Potemkin in 1905. The tragic tale of Manon Lescaut, directed by Arthur Robison and produced by the German company Universum Film AG, completed the program's double feature.
Program from Robert Wiene's The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, a silent horror film which screened in Symphony Hall on February 4, 1928
The program also included the premiere screening of Paul Fejos' The Last Moment, released in February 1928.
Program from a February 12, 1933 service of the Community Church of Boston, which included a showing of Must War Be?
With Japan on the brink of leaving the League of Nations and mere weeks after Hitler rose to power in Germany, the Community Church of Boston (which met in Symphony Hall) presented a call to peace among uncertain times.
Program for Julien Bryan's film, Siege, sponsored by The Polish Students Club, February 4, 1940
This documentary by photojournalist Julien Bryan includes dramatic footage taken during the September 1939 Nazi attack on Warsaw and documents the chain of events that resulted in the German occupation of Poland.
Program for a Gala Benefit Concert held on March 23, 1940, to raise funds for French artists (among other causes)
In addition to a screening of the French film Quattorze Juillet (July 14th), the benefit also included performances by singer Lily Pons, pianist George Copeland, and members of the BSO with Serge Koussevitzky.
Scene from F. W. Murnau’s Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror, shown in Symphony Hall on October 30, 2015, with musical accompaniment composed by Berklee College of Music students and performed by the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra and Keith Lockhart, conductor
Silent films still make the occasional appearance in Symphony Hall. The most recent screening was a collaboration between Berklee College of Music and the Boston Pops for a Halloween celebration of the 1922 vampire classic Nosferatu.
"Drumbeats and Song": 50 Years of Band Performances
Cylindrical drum, maker unknown
Probably made in France, early 20th century
Casadesus Collection No. 38
Program for a performance by John Philip Sousa and the Sousa Band at Symphony Hall on April 12, 1901
Sousa and his band appeared at Symphony Hall during the concert venue’s inaugural season. They would continue to make regular appearances at the hall until 1928, performing a total of 27 times in the venue.
Portrait of John Philip Sousa (November 6, 1854–March 6, 1932)
Known as the “March King,” composer and conductor Sousa founded his band in 1892 and it toured until his death in 1932, performing over 15,000 concerts. (Photographer unknown)
Programs for performances by Guiseppe Creatore and his band on November 4-5, 1902 and on July 26-29, 1920 in Symphony Hall
Guiseppe Creatore immigrated from Naples in 1899 to play trombone in Ellery's Royal Italian Band. Two years later, he founded his own band of Italian musicians in 1901. The group enjoyed immense success touring the U.S. until World War I dampened concert opportunities (from 1902-1904, the Creatore Band appeared at Symphony Hall a total of 22 times), but even in 1920, his group had four days booked at Symphony Hall.
Program for the Royal Kronoberg Regiment Band’s performance in Symphony Hall on March 30, 1908
According to a review in the Boston Globe, the Swedish military band sold out its performance, with 500 hopeful attendees turned away. This 1908 tour was apparently the first time the band had received permission to leave Sweden.
Program for the performance of the Philippine Constabulary Band at Symphony Hall on March 16, 1909
After leading the presidential inaugural parade for William Taft (who from 1902-1904 acted as the first colonial American governor-general in the Philippines), the Philippine Constabulary Band also gave a performance in Boston shortly after. Founding director Walter Loving was a Black U.S. soldier and band leader — likely the first Black conductor to give a performance on the stage of Symphony Hall. Dr. Mary Talusan’s book Instruments of Empire (2021) provides an in-depth look at the complex narratives surrounding this ensemble of Filipino musicians.
Program for a Goldman Band performance at Symphony Hall on November 14, 1926
Founded by Edwin Franko Goldman in 1918, the Goldman Band would continue to provide concerts for over 85 years (until 2005). The group premiered works by Schoenberg, Milhaud, and Robert Russell Bennett.
Hickory baton with gold plated sterling tip and plaque engraved with the Goldman Band’s name, 1920s
From 1988-1997, the Goldman Band was led by Gene Young, a conductor and avid collector of batons. (The Gene Young Baton Collection, gift of Dorian and Kristina Young, 2021)
Program for a performance by Pompeo’s Symphony Band on October 28, 1928 in Symphony Hall
Possibly to distinguish his ensemble from the popular Italian wind bands, conductor Giovanni Pompeo went by Professor Pompeo and aimed for a more orchestral arrangement of repertoire.
Program for “Drumbeats and Song,” a performance given by the Harvard Band and the Radcliffe Choral Society on December 5, 1947 at Symphony Hall
The Harvard Band and the Radcliffe Choral Society collaborated in a joint concert in which the band provided the “drumbeats" and the chorus provided the “song.”
Program for a performance by the United States Army Band in support of the Red Cross on March 1, 1949 at Symphony Hall
Led by Captain Hugh Curry, the United States Army Band played in this post-war benefit to raise funds for the Boston chapter of the Red Cross. The Junior Red Cross, which focuses on education and involvement of students, was also highlighted.
Poster advertising the appearance of the Grand Republican Band of Paris at Symphony Hall on December 11, 1953
Another military band traveling under the auspices of its government, the Grand Republican Band of Paris gave a concert in Boston to benefit the BSO’s pension fund (for retired musicians). In addition to works led by the group’s director François-Julien Brun, the program also featured some conducting by the BSO’s Music Director Charles Munch (a native of Alsace in eastern France).
From Folk to Funk: Popular Music Performances in the '60s and '70s
Poster advertising Nina Simone’s performance at Symphony Hall on November 27, 1963
Poster advertising an Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Festival at Symphony Hall on October 16, 1970
Headlining the festival, Ella Fitzgerald was joined by Herbie Mann and Oscar Peterson.
Poster advertising Rod McKuen’s performances at Symphony Hall on November 20 and 21, 1970
Poster advertising Lily Tomlin’s appearance at Symphony Hall on April 6, 1972
Poster advertising Herbie Hancock’s appearance with Minnie Riperton at Symphony Hall on October 4, 1974
Poster advertising Gordon Lightfoot’s appearance at Symphony Hall on October 6, 1974
Poster advertising Randy Newman and Ry Cooder’s performance at Symphony Hall on November 21, 1974
Poster advertising Leonard Cohen’s appearance at Symphony Hall on February 9, 1975
Flyer advertising upcoming performances at Symphony Hall: Roy Buchanan with Tim Weisburg on October 24, 1975; Janis Ian with Aztec Two Step on October 31, 1975; Tom Rush with Tracy Nelson and Mother Earth on November 14, 1975
Flyer advertising upcoming performances at Symphony Hall: Sarah Vaughan with Ahmad Jamal on February 29, 1976; Billy Cobham, George Duke and Spectrum on March 7, 1976
Flyer advertising upcoming performances at Symphony Hall: Billy Cobham and George Duke on October 15, 1976; Gil Scott Heron and Donny Hathaway on October 24, 1976
Poster advertising Benny Goodman’s performance at Symphony Hall on March 18, 1977
Flyer advertising upcoming performances at Symphony Hall: Melba Moore and Al Jarreau on September 23, 1977; Richie Havens and Don McLean on September 30, 1977