The world class concert hall, the Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for humanities, was funded by gifts totalling £185m from the philanthropist and businessman Mr Schwarzman. groups, people and orchestras are keenly anticipating its opening next autumn at the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter.
Some argue it will boost the city's cultural scene in the post-pandemic world and offers a contrast to the West End of the city which is increasingly seeing laboratories and science buildings being built ahead of retail and leisure near Frideswide Square. However Oxford Civic Society and the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra say the concert venue should seat more people. It has also been argued the building will "not be Oxford’s Sydney Opera House" in terms of attracting a wider tourism boost beyond the city.
The centre designed by Hopkins Architects will be home to a 500-seat concert hall and 250-seat . Marios Papadopoulos, music director of the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra, which is Oxford University's orchestra in residence, said: “The Oxford Philharmonic applauds the creation of the Schwarzman Centre. We are sure this will add considerable value to the cultural life of Oxford.
“The capacity of its auditorium of 500 will make it difficult for the Oxford Philharmonic to perform there. However, as the orchestra in residence at the University of Oxford, we will do what we can to ensure its success. “In time, we hope Oxford will acquire a large-enough concert hall which will serve as the Ph.