60,000 people attended Winspearation ’97, the nine-day event in September 1997 which celebrated the opening of the world-class Francis Winspear Centre for Music. This architecturally dramatic building at the heart of the city’s Arts District is now home to the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. Performances of all musical varieties attract huge crowds, keen to appreciate the outstanding acoustics in this venue.
The centre is named after the Edmonton philanthropist Dr Francis G. Winspear, who donated six million dollars to help bring this project to life. Its distinctive design draws on both music and the city as inspiration. Look out for visual references to the musical staff, as well as to the surrounding forests and river valley.
At the heart of the centre is the huge performance chamber with seats for almost 2,000 audience members. This rectangular hall is 57 metres long with a ceiling 25.9 metres high, and every detail has been expertly conceived for the best possible acoustic effect. The walls are specially textured to diffuse sound – take a close look and you’ll see leaves from the Edmonton river valley that have been pressed into the surface. The curtains and canopies can be moved to achieve the best conditions for any size of orchestra or band.
2001 saw the addition of the magnificent Davis Pipe Organ. Manufactured in Quebec, this hand-crafted concert organ comprises a staggering 6,551 pipes. You’ll see it at the back of the stage, reaching to a height equivalent to three stories.
Whatever time of year you visit, there is likely to be a variety of performances to choose from. Check the official website for the latest programme, and make sure you book your tickets well in advance. Seats fill quickly at this top-quality venue. There is no restaurant on site, but there is a bar where you can pre-order your drinks for the intermission.
The Winspear Centre is located on the corner of 102nd Avenue and 99th Street in downtown Edmonton, and opens onto Sir Winston Churchill Square. Churchill Station, a light rail transit (LRT) terminal, is close by, and the area is well-served by bus routes. Alternatively, car parking is available a 5-minute walk from the Winspear Centre.
