Built in 1664–69 with funding from Archbishop Sheldon after a design by Christopher Wren (then a professor of astronomy at Oxford), the theatre is a creative adaptation of Roman theatre models, with an innovative roof spanning seventy feet and a Baroque painted ceiling by Robert Streater.
The functions of the Roman auditorium and stage are reversed, so that the Chancellor’s chair is in the middle of the semicircular end. The Sheldonian Theatre is the principal assembly room of the University, a venue for public ceremonies, with classical architectural elements and decorative motifs inspired by Rome. Music performances were also held there. For instance, in 1773 Händel premiered his oratorio Athalia at the Sheldonian.
23 July 1931 saw the performance of Józef Koffler’s String Trio, Op. 10 at that Oxford theatre. The ISCM festival concert programme also included chamber pieces by Jan Maklakiewicz, Roger Sessions, Egon Wellesz, and Ernesto Halffter.