In the lower level of Massey Hall you’ll find ‘Centuries,’ a fully-stocked bar you can visit pre-show and at intermission of most performances. The room is filled with artefacts illustrating the admirable history of Massey Hall, perhaps most notably the “Decade Panels” that line the entrance corridor to ‘Centuries.’ Starting with 1894-1904, a panel is present for each decade since Massey Hall opened. The panels feature news articles, photographs, programmes and other paraphernalia that aim to give a slice of life at Massey Hall from that period in history. In this column, we look at each decade and highlight some of the items included in these panels. Of course, for a more in-depth look, next time you’re at Massey for a show, head on over to ‘Centuries’ and check them out. This week, we take a look at 1934 – 1943, the fifth in a series of eleven tributes to Massey Hall’s glorious history.
Massey Hall 1934-1943
This decade sees the continued rebuild after the Great Depression and leads into World War II. The performances and events at Massey Hall continue to span politics, high art, and philosophy.
A “Grand Patriotic Concert” occurred “In Aid of The Evening Telegram British War Victims’ Fund and the Wool Fund of Earnest Workers Unit of the Navy League of Canada” on Friday, January 23, 1942. The advertisement for the event features a rather charming looking bulldog draped in the Union Jack and other flags. In other news items of the decade, the Toronto Star played host at Massey Hall to a “Cooking and Home-makers’ School” which, reportedly, incited a line four hours long to gain admission.
Other more traditional performances included visits from the Philadelphia Orchestra, San Carlo Opera Company, and the Ballets Russes as well as the celebration of Centennial Music Week. George Gershwin appeared as a soloist in his Rhapsody in Blue and Concerto in F. One performance by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (with Sir Ernest MacMillan conducting) featured Valdine Conde, the 9 year old pianist. Tickets for this concert ranged in price from only 50c to a more substantial $2.50.
Grey Owl paid a visit to the Grand Old Lady of Shuter Street during this time showcasing his “wonderful films” on the lecture topic “Back to My Beaver People.” Of course, it would not be until years later that Grey Owl’s actual lineage would be revealed to indicate he was not an heir of the “Beaver People” whatsoever. Remember this Historica Minute?
Stefania Paterak is the Programming Coordinator for Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall.
