Hope Horne
10 more things you didn’t know about Overture Center: Part 2
October 10, 2024
After 20 years, Overture Center has many fascinating features to reveal. In this second part of our blog, we uncover 10 more little-known facts about the building and its history.
1. The Musical Woodwork
All of the woodworking inside Overture is crafted from English sycamore, sustainably sourced from Germany. This fine wood is commonly used in musical instruments and fine furniture.
2. A Room with a View
The Promenade Lounge offers sweeping views of State Street and the Capitol through beautifully crafted windows, designed to echo the architecture of the original department store that graced this spot.
3. A Fire-Ready Dome
The Rotunda dome at Overture is not just for looks—it includes a smoke evacuation system and infrared light detectors designed to enhance safety.
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Photo: Katie Ricard Photography LLC -
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Photo: Katie Rose
4. Shimmering Staircases
The lobby staircases were designed by César Pelli to resemble jewelry and are made from stainless steel, Philippine marble and low-iron glass. They’re designed to feel transparent and suspended in the air.
5. Lights of the Lakes
The 112 pendant lights in Overture’s lobby, crafted by Winona Lighting Company, feature wavy patterns that evoke the shimmering waters of Madison’s lakes.
6. Overture Concert Organ
The organ in Overture Hall was crafted by Johannes Klais Orgelbau in Bonn, Germany, and took nearly three years to complete. The organ has 4,040 pipes, with the largest standing 32 feet tall and weighing over 1,200 pounds. Surprisingly, only about half of the visible pipes are functional.
7. Capitol Theater’s Vintage Flair
The 18 Spanish majolica ceramic plates in the Capitol Theater’s lobby are original, handcrafted pieces from Spain, adding to the theater’s vintage charm.
8. Playhouse’s Transformation
Originally designed for the Madison Repertory Theatre, the Playhouse remains one of Overture’s intimate venues for performances and rehearsals, now equipped for a variety of events.
9. The Largest Arts Donation in History
Overture Center was brought to life through the generosity of Jerry Frautschi, who contributed the largest private arts donation in American history—$205 million. Additionally, significant contributions from the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation included $1.1 million for the Madison Symphony Orchestra’s pipe organ and $23 million in matching grants to support Overture’s resident organizations.
10. Community Impact
Since opening in 2004, Overture has provided more than 12 million arts experiences to the community!
On your next visit to Overture, see how many of these features you can spot. You’ll gain a new appreciation for the history and care that went into building this artistic hub!