Iconic Maurice Abravanel Hall to Celebrate Official Listing on National Register of Historic Places

Salt Lake City, UT — Utah Symphony, Salt Lake County, and supporters of Abravanel Hall will gather on February 11, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. for a formal plaque unveiling to celebrate Maurice Abravanel Hall's inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.

Opened in 1979 as home to the Utah Symphony, Abravanel Hall (a Salt Lake County Arts & Culture venue) is an architectural, acoustic, and artistic icon in the heart of historic downtown Salt Lake City.

As renovations to the Salt Palace Convention Center and surrounding spaces move forward, Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson, working closely with Salt Lake County Arts & Culture and Utah Symphony, has prioritized conservation of the Hall and its world-class acoustics while also focusing on back-of-house modernization opportunities intended to improve experiences for musicians, performers, and patrons. This effort is the result of supportive leadership uniting to honor the historic venue's past and to invest in its lasting value for generations to come.

"Abravanel Hall is more than just a building; it is a testament to our community's commitment to the arts. As we establish the new Sports, Entertainment, Culture, and Convention District, Abravanel Hall will remain as a cultural anchor, ensuring that the arts and culture continue to shape the downtown area." Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson

"Having Abravanel Hall recognized on the National Register of Historic Places ensures that this artistic and architectural masterpiece remains a vital part of our cultural landscape." Steve Brosvik, President and CEO of Utah Symphony Utah Opera.

"As performers, we feel the history and the incredible intimacy of this space. This recognition honors the generations of artists who have poured their souls into performances within these gold-leafed walls." Karen Wyatt & Keith Carrick, Utah Symphony Musicians.

What: Official Plaque Unveiling and Commemoration Ceremony

When: Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 11:30 AM

Where: Abravanel Hall Lobby, 123 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT

Who: Salt Lake County Mayor Representative

Utah Symphony | Utah Opera President and CEO Steve Brosvik

Utah Symphony Musicians Karen Wyatt and Keith Carrick

Salt Lake County Arts & Culture Division Director Matt Castillo

___________

About Abravanel Hall

Maurice Abravanel Hall is an architectural and artistic icon located in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City. Opened in 1979 as the home of the Utah Symphony, the Hall is named for Maurice Abravanel, the symphony's longtime conductor and a legendary champion of classical music in Utah.

Designed by Salt Lake's FFKR Architects and renowned acoustician Cyril Harris, the venue is a "building within a building," utilizing a concrete shell to isolate the hall from city noise and vibrations. The venue is adorned by 12,000 square feet of 24-karat gold leaf, white oak paneling, and brass chandeliers featuring 18,000 hand-strung Bohemian crystals.

The four-story glass lobby offers breathtaking views of Temple Square and the Wasatch Range and houses the Olympic Tower, a signature red blown-glass sculpture by artist Dale Chihuly. Abravanel Hall is a Salt Lake County Arts & Culture venue.

About Salt Lake County Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture is a team of dedicated professionals with a passion to support and expand the County's arts and cultural community. We are committed to fostering deep community connections through shared arts and cultural experiences, and we support this mission with our Spaces, Places, Services, and Programs. Learn more at saltlakecountyarts.org.

About Utah Symphony | Utah Opera

Utah Symphony | Utah Opera connects Utah communities through great live music and is the flagship arts organization of the Intermountain West. USUO's 87 full-time symphony musicians and five opera Resident Artists perform for more than 400,000 citizens in Utah and the Intermountain region each year, presenting more than 175 symphonic and chamber music performances; week-long runs of four fully produced operas; and music education programs for students and adult learners. The organization's statewide service includes tours featuring outdoor performances against the backdrop of Utah's natural beauty as well as education offerings—most recently, the six-stop Music Elevated Tour in August 2023.

Founded in 1940 and one of just 17 year-round professional orchestras in the U.S., the Utah Symphony performs at downtown Salt Lake City's Maurice Abravanel Hall, at its Deer Valley Music Festival in Park City, in Utah Opera productions at the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre, and at venues throughout the state of Utah. The symphony has embarked on seven international tours and performed at Carnegie Hall in 2016 in honor of its 75th anniversary season. The orchestra's celebrated recording legacy includes more than 100 recordings; in April 2023, its latest album featuring Messiaen's Des canyons aux étoiles—a work inspired by three scenic Utah locations—was released to great international acclaim. Thierry Fischer, who envisioned and conducted that recording and led the Utah Symphony as Music Director from 2014 to 2023, was named Music Director Emeritus beginning in the 2023-24 season. In 2024, Markus Poschner was named Music Director Designate.

Since 1978, Utah Opera has provided citizens with distinguished and entertaining productions at Salt Lake City's historic Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre—showcasing emerging and established artists, celebrating traditional works, and championing new works and the American operatic tradition. Utah Opera is one of just six opera companies in the U.S. with full production capabilities, including in-house costume design, set building, and props studios; the company currently has costumes for 32 productions and scenery for 14 productions in its inventory.

Utah Opera's Resident Artist program is nationally recognized for providing invaluable career-training opportunities for professional singers and collaborative pianists.

USUO leads in music education, with interactive and immersive education programs that engage and inspire tomorrow's musicians and music-lovers. In the community, in classrooms, and in venues, these programs serve more than 100,000 students, teachers, and adult learners annually and reach every school district in Utah on a three-year rotation.