City Opera and City Ballet Unveil the Completed Renovations of The David H. Koch Theater

Peter Martins, Ballet Master in Chief of New York City Ballet, and George Steel, General Manager and Artistic Director of New York City Opera, today unveiled the results of the renovation of their shared home, the David H. Koch Theater, which is located on the campus of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. The $107 million renovation, which began in July 2008, was undertaken through a joint initiative of the Ballet and the Opera to refurbish and modernize their historic home-the former New York State Theater, designed by Philip Johnson Associates and inaugurated in 1964-enhancing both the artistic and visitor experience.

The project is funded through a $200 million joint capital campaign undertaken by the Ballet, the Opera and City Center of Music and Drama. The theater was officially renamed in honor of the $100 million lead gift from David H. Koch. The capital campaign has also received major contributions in the amount of $26.9 million provided by the City of New York through the Department of Cultural Affairs, with support from the City Council and the Manhattan Borough President.

"I am thrilled by the completion of this truly unprecedented project, which maintains the integrity of George Balanchine's and Philip Johnson's vision for the theater while adding significantly to the comfort, accessibility and artistic capabilities of the building," stated Peter Martins. "In many ways, both subtle and apparent, this renovation will provide a much-improved experience for performers and audiences alike."

"Today we celebrate both a great legacy and an exciting new beginning," stated George Steel. "From the depths of the orchestra pit up to the seats in the fourth ring, the David H. Koch Theater has been refashioned for today and for the future, ensuring that the theater is a beautiful space where opera and ballet will flourish for years to come."

Speaking at the preview event, Kate D. Levin, Commissioner, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs commented: "New York City Ballet and New York City Opera are better poised than ever before to serve 21st century artists and audiences, thanks to the public-private partnership that made these renovations possible. The new David H. Koch Theater will help ensure that New York City remains a destination for cultural visitors from around the corner, and around the world."

The theater has undergone a number of acoustical enhancements including the enlargement of the orchestra pit, the installation of a mechanical lift and modification of the stage apron. These changes allow the orchestra to play in the pit at any depth, or as high as stage level for concert performance. This new flexible pit both increases the presence of the orchestra's sound in the theater, and improves conditions for onstage performers, who will benefit from a clearer and more direct exchange with the conductor and orchestra. Other acoustical interventions, including the removal of carpet from the floor and rear walls of the auditorium and the addition of new acoustic side walls near the proscenium, have also been made to improve the musical experience for the audience. Thanks to these interventions, the electronic acoustic enhancement system installed in the theater since 1999 has been removed.

The renovation also brings the David H. Koch Theater into the 21st century with the installation of dynamic new media capabilities including a complete onsite media suite with all equipment necessary for the capture and distribution of high-definition images and digital sound of performances, rehearsals and any other activities taking place in the theater. The suite also includes digital storage capabilities for materials captured by the new system, as well as materials from the Ballet and Opera archives. The theater itself is now outfitted with a number of robotic, remote-controlled cameras, as well as approximately 60 broadcast service plates located throughout the theater, providing maximum flexibility for temporarily installing and changing camera positions as needed.

Enhanced amenities for audiences at the newly renovated David H. Koch Theater include two new side aisles that have been created on the Orchestra level and entirely new seats that have been carefully tested for sound absorption. The redesign of the orchestra level maintains the integrity of the theater's original seating plan and retains its generous 40-inch legroom and unparalleled sightlines. The new side aisles were carved out of the orchestra's previous layout without altering the arc of the rows. The renovated theater has a total capacity of 2,586, including new prime spaces for patrons with disabilities.

Additional improvements include the refurbishment of restrooms; installation of a new and upgraded lighting system; refurbishment of the dressing rooms; and installation of a new heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system. The Box Office has also been refreshed with a new façade, designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, incorporating images of opera and ballet. While these improvements will benefit audiences of the Ballet and Opera first of all, they also will enhance the experience of other users of the theater throughout the year.

JCJ Architecture has lead the renovation.

New York City Opera will present its first performance in the David H. Koch Theater on November 5, 2009, on the occasion of its American Voices opening concert, marking the company's return to the stage and the start of the 2009/2010 season, the first under the direction of George Steel. New York City Ballet will hold its Opening Night Benefit in the David H. Koch Theater on November 24, 2009, when it will mark its first performance in the renovated theater with a world premiere ballet by Peter Martins to a score by John Adams.

 

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