The Edward Johnson Building officially opened on March 2, 1964, despite activity taking place in the building since July 1962. The delay was primarily due to having to rebuild the balcony in MacMillan Theatre to offer sightlines to the stage. The first work performed that evening was “God Save the Queen”, arranged for chorus and orchestra by Sir Ernest MacMillan.
The second piece performed on that opening program evening was the overture for England: An Ode by Swinburne, set to music by Sir Ernest MacMillan.
Guess what the U of T Symphony Orchestra is opening their performance season with on Saturday, September 29? You guessed it, the overture from England: An Ode.