Peristyle—50 years

“A modern form of Greek Theater” is what Time magazine called it in January, 1933. The “Peristyle” concert hall, in Toledo, Ohio, formally opened to Leopold Stokowski conducting the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra. Termed “a modern version of an open air theater,” semi-circular tiers surround the orchestra section with the topmost row topped by ionic colonades. A generous stage, cork flooring, marble paneled walls, and gently domed ceiling that extends beyond the colonades complete the acoustical envelope. A concealed lighting system gives an effect from “bright warm sunlight” to “a night sky shimmering with moonlight.” Opening to harsh criticisms of both the architecture and acoustics, the Peristyle, a part of the Toledo Museum of Art and a gift of Edward Drummond Libby, is generally considered to be an excellent hall for listeners. Musicians are not universally in agreement. A gentle blending of the orchestra can be found at nearly every seat. Yet the players complain of not being able to hear each other. To this day, electronic amplification is unnecessary even for verbal announcements. With only slight modifications over decades, the Peristyle acoustical attributes will be described using modern day technology and equipment with the hall in its present state.