The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts - Toronto, Ontario, Canada



Architect
Diamond and Schmitt.
Date Built
2006
Location
145 Queen Street West
Description
The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, on Queen Street in Tornoto's city centre, is both the home of the Canadian Opera Company and a performance venue for the National Ballet of Canada. 



The Canadian Opera Company say on their website that it is, "... the first building of its kind in Canada ... built specifically for opera and ballet performances with the finest level of acoustics. The contemporary expression of a traditional horseshoe-shaped auditorium provides unparalleled intimacy between the audience and the stage with every seat computer-tested for the best possible sightlines."  The building features, "Full, rear and side stages, along with generous dressing rooms and wardrobe storage allow three complete productions to play in repertory. A large, flexible orchestra pit."
 

The building's architect were the Toronto based practice of Diamond and Schmitt.  They say of the project that the overriding principal that influenced the design was to create, " ... creating an exceptional auditory and theatrical experience for patrons as well as a democratic, open and engaging space within the city. The opera house is designed to make accessible an art form that has long been considered elitist. ... It has excelled in providing audience interest and comfort, has created operational efficiencies and achieved an acoustic and theatrical experience among the very best in the world."







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