# Future of the Wanamaker Organ in doubt

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-of-the-wanamaker-organ-in-doubt/1012817>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [January 10, 2025, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-of-the-wanamaker-organ-in-doubt/1012817 "2025-01-10T20:23:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-of-the-wanamaker-organ-in-doubt/1012817/21 "2025-07-25T21:08:19Z")

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> One of the most famous organs in the world, which graces one of Philadelphia’s favorite public spaces, was at risk of going quiet this spring when Macy’s closed up shop in the city’s storied Wanamaker Building.
> 
> But countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, the avant-garde opera star hired last year to run Opera Philadelphia, is leading an effort to let the public again enjoy the [Wanamaker Organ](https://apnews.com/video/audiences-hear-last-wanamaker-organ-concerts-before-philadelphia-macys-store-closes-this-weekend-aefe479555034042860b4b8e345ded2d), a National Historic Landmark-designated treasure…
> 
> Costanzo, with $1 million in philanthropic funding, is organizing a series of public performances this fall — including opera, ballet, theater and drag — before renovations begin next year on the building’s conversion to a retail and residential hub. The Wanamaker Organ will be featured in the first event, set for Sunday, Sept. 7, but perhaps not all of them.

> **[Famed Wanamaker Organ will again be heard by the public in fall art series in...](https://apnews.com/article/philadelphia-wanamaker-organ-opera-arts-de32bf6ab93af844cb0527bb017faa23)**
>
> Countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo is leading an effort to revive the Wanamaker Organ in Philadelphia.

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**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2025, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-of-the-wanamaker-organ-in-doubt/1012817/22 "2025-07-28T20:26:00Z")

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on a somewhat related note, I did hear that they will have the lightshow again this year; a great Christmas tradition.

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**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\
**Post date:** [July 29, 2025, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-of-the-wanamaker-organ-in-doubt/1012817/23 "2025-07-29T14:08:08Z")

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indeed. the company was able to buy the dicken’s village and the light show from macy’s.

there is a move to have a non profit own them.

the 2 shows will be available this year. the next 2 years are questionable as the building undergoes renovation.

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