It served as the orchestra's home theater until the orchestra's financial demise in 1991. Under new ownership, the Orpheum became the home of the newly formed Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO), whose musicians prized the auditorium for its acoustical purity. The theater is an example of "vertical hall" construction, initially built to provide perfect sight lines and acoustics for vaudeville shows which didn't have the benefit of amplifiers or modern lighting.
Until 1991 when the orchestra's finances declined, it was the home theater of the orchestra. Under new management, the Orpheum became the home of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO), whose musicians valued the auditorium for its acoustical purity. The theater is an example of "vertical hall" construction, originally designed to provide perfect sight lines and acoustics for vaudeville shows without amplifiers or modern lighting.