Rice University's Shepherd School of Music Opens New Brockman Hall

Rice University's Shepherd School of Music, located in Houston, Texas, has welcomed the public to its new opera hall.

Brockman Music and Performing Arts Center is now made up of the 84,000-square-foot Brockman Hall for Opera and the Alice Pratt Brown Hall, plus their adjoining plaza.

Its Morrison Theater was designed to help bourgeoning singers project their voices without straining themselves. The European-style theater hall boasts three tiers, 600-seats, and an orchestra pit for 70 musicians — making it the first theater with such a configuration among U.S. universities and conservatories.

Designed by Allan Greenberg Architect LLC, with the Linbeck Group as construction manager, the building will be the new home to the Shepherd School's performances and guest speakers.

Brockman Hall's inaugural performance was last week, presenting Mozart's "Don Giovanni." On Friday, April 22, the School will host “A Celebration for Brockman Hall for Opera,” featuring performances of upcoming opera highlights. For more information, click here.

“We really want the people of Houston to come out and experience this amazing new facility for themselves,” commented Shepherd School Dean Matthew Loden. “We can’t wait to share this once-in-a-lifetime experience with the Houston community."