A landmark new music venue in Oxford is quickly taking shape ahead of its opening next year, but some groups are worried it will not be large enough for the wider public.
The world class concert hall, the Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for humanities, was funded by gifts totalling £185m from the philanthropist and businessman Mr Schwarzman.
Oxford groups, people and orchestras are keenly anticipating its opening next autumn at the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter.
Some argue it will boost the city's cultural scene in the post-pandemic world and offers a contrast to the West End of the city which is increasingly seeing laboratories and science buildings being built ahead of retail and leisure near Frideswide Square.
However Oxford Civic Society and the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra say the concert venue should seat more people.
It has also been argued the building will "not be Oxford’s Sydney Opera House" in terms of attracting a wider tourism boost beyond the city.
The centre designed by Hopkins Architects will be home to a 500-seat concert hall and 250-seat theatre.
Marios Papadopoulos, music director of the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra, which is Oxford University's orchestra in residence, said: “The Oxford Philharmonic applauds the creation of the Schwarzman Centre. We are sure this will add considerable value to the cultural life of Oxford.
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“In time, we hope Oxford will acquire a large-enough concert hall which will serve as the Philharmonic’s home and a venue for large-scale performances, visiting orchestras and artists.”
Ian Green, chairman of the Oxford Civic Society, agreed.
Mr Green said: “We welcome that much of the new centre will be open to the public. We also think that while it would be great to have a decent large performance space, it never was going to be able to provide full scale theatre and opera.
"But it will provide a new comfortable venue for performing arts accommodating an audience of 500.
“Another 500-seater auditorium does not solve the need for a serious concert or musical event space - perhaps a 1500-seater - which could be a wonderful focus for cultural activity at the heart of the city.
“Nevertheless, a Schwarzman centre that is really open to public engagement will undoubtedly be a great addition to the city, and earnest of the university’s drive to open itself out to its local Oxford city population.
"But it will not be Oxford’s Sydney Opera House.”
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This will be quite different to any other classical music venue in Oxford such as the Sheldonian Theatre and the Holywell Music Room, which first opened in 1748.
The centre will boost research and teaching in the humanities at Oxford University and provide them with a new home which brings together seven faculties, the Institute for Ethics in AI, the Oxford Internet Institute, and a new humanities library.
This area is a contrast with the West End which has been subject to numerous planning applications for new labs and offices. The most prominent being in Hythe Bridge Street and Botley Road.
The Oxford Symphony Orchestra is the city's principal non-professional large orchestra which performs at venues such as Oxford Town Hall and the Sheldonian.
Orchestra chairwoman Sally Maitlis said the orchestra was "very excited" about the new venue.
She added: “The Oxford Symphony Orchestra is very excited about the plans for the Schwarzman Centre, and especially its concert hall.
"While Oxford already has some wonderful venues, this space will offer a design and acoustic that will elevate the concert experience for both musicians and audiences.
“Having such a beautiful cultural centre in the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter opens up many new possibilities for the Arts in Oxfordshire and we are very much hoping to perform there, perhaps with a programme that suits the hall's more intimate 60-person stage.”
Oxford city councillor Lizzy Diggins, who represents Jericho, was optimistic about the public access.
She said: "The centre will offer some truly world-class facilities, and I welcome the fact that the local community and city more broadly will be able to share in them.
"I hope the building of the Schwarzman Centre is the start of a new era of Oxford University buildings facing in the right direction especially in relation to including access and use from the public."
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The 500-seat hall has been designed to provide world-class acoustics for performances by ensembles and chamber orchestras of up to 60 musicians and would also be suitable for small symphony orchestras.
The 250-seat lecture theatre would be used for large lectures during term-time, but would also be able to accommodate not only student-led dramatic performances but also professional plays and theatre.
In addition to the concert hall and theatre, the building will also include an 89-seat lecture and film screening facility, a school engagement centre, and a Bate collection of musical instruments and library.
Author Sir Philip Pullman set the His Dark Material trilogy in Oxford, with the fictional Jordan College on the site of what will become the centre.
He has backed the building, saying: “The Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities will be an exciting and distinguished addition to the architecture of this beautiful city, and what it embodies about the central place of humanities in the world of learning needs demonstrating now more than ever.
“I look forward to seeing it flourish.”
Sir Tim Berners-Lee, founder of the World Wide Web, added: “It is essential that philosophy and ethics engages with those disciplines developing and using AI.
"If AI is to benefit humanity we must understand its moral and ethical implications. Oxford with its rich history in humanities and philosophy is ideally placed to do this.”
Oxford University has been contacted for a comment.
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About the author
Toby is a senior reporter who has a particular interest in covering planning and local government.
He joined in September 2024 having been a reporter at the Hampshire Chronicle for three years.
Toby studied at the University of Brighton and can be found on X through the handle @JournoToby
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