Dayton Performing Arts history

In April 1934, the Chamber Orchestra Society changed its name to the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra.

Realizing how much choral music would enhance the Orchestra’s concert programming, in 1935 Katz founded the original all-volunteer Dayton Philharmonic Chorus.

In 1937, the Dayton Philharmonic Training Orchestra was formed to give young area musicians an opportunity to study challenging orchestral music and to sharpen their cultural awareness and appreciation of music.

Katz was so enthusiastic about satisfying everyone’s musical taste that in 1945, he introduced the first Pops Concerts to Dayton.

The Beginning From the first meetings of its founders in the fall of 1960, Dayton Opera has enriched the cultural life of the Miami Valley.

In 1981, Dayton Opera aligned itself with Michigan Opera Theatre and its General Director Doctor David DiChiera, who also served as artistic director for Dayton Opera.

DiChiera, whose tenure ended in 1993, was known for his commitment to encouraging promising young talent on the international, national and local levels.

In 1998, a historic Concert for Peace joined together the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and the Sarajevo Philharmonic in celebration of the fourth anniversary of the signing of the Dayton Peace Accords.

In 2003, Dayton Opera moved from its long-time home of Memorial Hall to its current home at the Benjamin and Marian Performing Arts Center.

In 2006, Dayton Opera brought a significant new production of Madame Butterfly to Dayton.

In 2010, Dayton Opera raised the curtain to its 50th Anniversary Celebration Season.