Massey Music Hall

Known as the oldest and most prestigious concert hall in the country, Massey Music Hall rejuvenated Toronto’s music industry. It first opened its doors in 1894, thanks to the vision of one man: Hart Massey. A wealthy industrialist and city native, he built this venue as a tribute to his son Charles, who passed away from typhoid fever. Until the 1920s, Massey Music Hall was the only national venue capable of hosting any musical performances. Its early prominence made it the temporary home of the renowned Toronto Mendelssohn Choir in 1895. More importantly, it became the permanent home of the city’s symphony orchestra from its founding in 1922 until the early 1980s. However, Massy Hall was eventually outshone, and lost its exclusive status in 1982 to the Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto’s new concert venue. Though events became less frequent in the historic brick building, they did not stop. The program actually became more diverse, featuring rock and pop concerts as well as community events. It has held many memorable events, such as a performance by Enrico Caruso in 1908, a Bob Marley concert in 1975, a show by U2, and a historic speech by Winston Churchill in 1900. Quite an impressive lineup for Massey Music Hall, sometimes nicknamed “The Carnegie Hall of Canada” and designated as a National Historic Site of Canada in 1981.