St. Petersburg is the center of cultural life. And an important place in it is occupied by concert halls, which have become popular stages for enterprise performances and various concerts. Among the most famous venues is the Oktyabrsky Concert Hall.
Saint Petersburg. Past
The appearance of the northern capital is constantly changing. And few people remember what the corner of the city looked like at the intersection of Ligovsky Prospekt, Starorusskaya and 4th Sovetskaya streets.
One of the main urban planning features of the layout of St. Petersburg is the orientation of a group of streets towards the square as the center of the ensemble. In this regard, visually there was a feeling that the main structure of the square seemed to close the street opening. This St. Petersburg section was organized in this way: the alignment of Zhukovsky Street, oriented precisely to the location of the current Grand Concert Hall - Summer Horse Square was closed by the Greek Church, founded here by decree of Alexander II in 1861 by the amazing master of the neo-Byzantine style Roman Ivanovich Kuzmin.
The church in the Greek settlement was consecrated in the name of the patron saint of the Russian army, Saint Dmitry of Thessaloniki. It belonged to the Greek Embassy, and the famous St. Petersburg resident, Greek by birth, Dmitry Egorovich Benardaki, invested in its construction.
BKZ. Origins
In connection with the tendencies to close churches after 1917, this church was also closed, only much later than many others - in the late 30s. During the Great Patriotic War A military training center was located in the building of the Greek Church, but after a bomb hit the building, it stood inactive for a long time. When the bomb was removed, the structure still remained abandoned and was gradually collapsing. And by 1961 it was dismantled.
In its place, the famous Oktyabrsky Concert Hall was founded - a huge building by the standards of that time and an innovative architectural structure, which became one of the famous urban objects of the era. Its capacity was amazing - up to 3,737 spectators could simultaneously gather in a cozy auditorium equipped with advanced technologies.
The purpose of the construction of "Oktyabrsky", erected for the 50th anniversary of the revolution, was associated with the holding of especially solemn events dedicated to major political and state events. And even in appearance it is very reminiscent of the Kremlin
The Oktyabrsky Concert Hall is located at the address: Ligovsky Prospekt, 6.
Big Concert Hall "Oktyabrsky". The present
Now the BKZ is one of the most used and beloved concert halls in the city. It hosts almost all special events, as well as the most grandiose festivals and concerts. Its stage space knows, perhaps, all the major stars of Russian pop and theater. On its stage, the dance extravaganza is presented by the ballet theaters of I. Moiseev and A. Dukhova, famous performers perform classical programs classical music, among whom opera singer Vasily Gerello, titans of the Soviet stage Joseph Kobzon and Edita Piekha, and the famous Children's Choir of Radio and Television are especially popular. Grandiose children's performances are staged here, including the famous New Year trees. The repertoire of the Oktyabrsky Concert Hall includes theatrical meetings and performances; many European and world celebrities tour on its stage.
It is also important to note the convenient location of the BKZ - in the very center of the city. Every St. Petersburger knows how to get to the Oktyabrsky Concert Hall: to the Ploshchad Vosstaniya metro station. You can also use a variety of ground transport. For nonresidents, the main landmark is
A look into the future
The Oktyabrsky Concert Hall does not stand still: all its structures are constantly developing. A special place in the quality of the hall's activities is occupied by sound and technical improvement. And the concert complex hosts master classes for students of St. Petersburg universities and professionals. For example, in the summer of 2015 it was a master class on the topic “Sound engineering of audiovisual arts.”
The Oktyabrsky Concert Hall is also developing a charitable direction: on October 6-7, its hall hosted gala concerts for children and young people with disabilities. Every year, concerts are held for teachers on their professional holiday, for veterans on Victory Day, etc. In November, residents of the historical district "Grazhdanka" were also able to use the stage of the concert hall, invited to a celebration dedicated to its anniversary.
There are also problems with the development of BKZ. Thus, it is planned to build a modern shopping and entertainment complex next to it. Many residents of the city, and, above all, the Greek community "Petropolis" opposed this construction. Its representatives turned to the governor with a request to restore the Church of Dmitry Solunsky on a free site near the BKZ, even if not exactly in its historical place.
Today in the world there are a huge number of concert halls that amaze audiences with their beauty, high-quality light and acoustics. And when all these important components are combined in one building, it cannot go unnoticed. Our review presents 25 of the most stunning concert halls from around the world that every theatergoer should visit.
The family of the creator of the animated empire, Walt Disney, has long wanted to build a building worthy of the highest ratings in his honor and donated $50 million for its construction. As a result, with the opening of another masterpiece from Frank Gehry in 2003, the main city of California found its new symbol. It is worth noting that in addition to its external expressiveness, this concert hall has acoustic properties that are in many ways superior to other famous venues in the world.
After numerous failures and freezing of construction even at the design stage, the main theater in China was finally built in the early 2000s. Resembling either a huge drop of water, or a flying saucer that landed in Chinese capital, this incredible structure immediately fell in love with the majority of local residents and guests of the Middle Kingdom. The theater is a dome-shaped structure, 212 meters long and approximately 47 meters high, made entirely of metal and glass. The building is located on the surface of an artificial lake, and the entrance to it is underwater tunnels with a transparent ceiling.
The ultra-modern opera house building in the center of Oslo was designed by the world-famous architectural bureau Snohetta in 2007. The main task of the architects was to organically fit the building into the urban development, the rocks of the Oslo Fjord and the coastal area of the seaport, while connecting the historical city center with modern neighborhoods. main hall The theater has a seating capacity of 1,364 and has a classic horseshoe shape, which allows for the highest acoustic performance. Main feature The theater now has a sloping roof, smoothly descending to the ground. It was quickly chosen by local residents, especially cyclists and skateboarders.
4. Albert Hall, London, UK
Albert Hall in London, UK
Albert Hall Concert Hall in London: interior of the hall
Britain's most prestigious concert hall, London's Albert Hall, was built in honor of Prince Albert in 1871. The popularity of this venue is most eloquently demonstrated by the numbers - about 350 cultural events are held annually in Albert Hall, including classical music concerts, opera and ballet performances, charity concerts, award ceremonies and banquets. The facade of the elliptical red brick building is decorated with a frieze with 16 sculptures, each of which symbolizes a specific field of science and art. This beautiful monument of Victorian architecture is crowned by a huge glass dome on an openwork cast iron frame.
The official opening of the new concert hall in the capital of Denmark took place in 2009. According to the idea of the author of the project, the Frenchman Jean Nouvel, the Copenhagen concert hall is not only the theater building itself, but an entire musical town with special recreation areas - open terraces, bars and restaurants. Inside the large glass volume there are four equipped last word studio room equipment, each of which is decorated in its own unique style. The largest hall with a capacity of 1800 spectators is located on top of the cube. Today, the Copenhagen Concert Hall is considered the most expensive music venue in the world.
6. Opera House "Auditorio de Tenerife" in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
Opera House "Auditorio de Tenerife" in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
Opera House "Auditorio de Tenerife" in Santa Cruz de Tenerife: interior of the hall
One of the most recognizable buildings in Spain, the Auditorio de Tenerife opera house is the result of the creative process of Santiago Calatrava. Construction of one of the most significant and famous works modern architecture was completed in 2003. The scale of this building is simply amazing - the roof alone reaches 100 meters in length and weighs about 350 tons. The theater building includes two halls - an organ hall (1616 seats) and a chamber hall (424 seats). It is curious that you can enter the theater from two sides. Also, the Auditorio de Tenerife provides its visitors with the opportunity to spend time in harmony with nature on special terraces with sea views.
Construction of the theater and concert hall in Taiwan was completed in 1987. The appearance of such important cultural objects served as a turning point in the history of not only Taiwan, but also the whole of China. The theater complex includes two theater buildings and a concert hall, as well as art galleries, shops, restaurants, library and a large memorial square. Program of events for this cultural center represents an incredible variety - from Kabuki theater to Shakespearean drama, from Verdi opera to African dance, from American jazz to Latin dance, etc. Meetings of high-ranking officials and diplomats are also held on the territory of the Taipei complex.
8. Concert and exhibition hall "Rudolfinum" in Prague, Czech Republic
Concert and exhibition hall "Rudolfinum" in Prague, Czech Republic
Concert and exhibition hall "Rudolfinum" in Prague: interior of the hall
The main concert and exhibition venue in the Czech Republic, the Rudolfinum hall, was opened in the center of Prague in 1885. The hall received its name in honor of the Austro-Hungarian Prince Rudolph, who personally participated in the opening ceremony. The Rudolfinum building houses several music halls: the Dvořák Hall, pleasing the ear with its excellent acoustics, as well as the Josef Suk Hall and the Kubelka Hall. This establishment hosts classical music concerts and art exhibitions.
9. Concert hall "House of Music" in Porto, Portugal
Concert hall "House of Music" in Porto, Portugal
Concert hall "House of Music" in Porto: interior of the hall
The House of Music concert hall was built in the center of Porto according to the design of the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas in 2005. Externally, this modern building resembles a huge truncated cube, which many people jokingly compare to a piece of refined sugar. However, the interiors of the “House of Music” are even more surprising - the internal walls adjoin each other and intersect at completely unimaginable angles, and incredible perspectives open up in each room. The main hall, where three orchestras perform, seats just over 1,200 spectators. In addition, the House of Music has an additional auditorium for 350 people and rehearsal spaces.
10. Carnegie Hall in New York, USA
Concert hall "Carnegie Hall" in New York, USA
Carnegie Hall Concert Hall in New York: interior of the hall
The Carnegie Hall concert hall, located in the center of Manhattan, was built in 1891. Today it is one of the most prestigious venues for the performance of classical music. Carnegie Hall includes three halls with a total capacity of 2804 seats. The building was reconstructed and updated twice - in 1983 and 2003. Throughout the history of this “musical mecca,” such legends of classical music as Dvorak, Strauss, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Stravinsky and many others have performed within its walls.
The luxurious Palace of Fine Arts, built in the Mexican capital in 1934, is an example of a mixture architectural styles Beaux-Arts and Art Deco, as evidenced by the walls of Carrara marble and the incredible splendor of the decor. A significant part of this magnificent building is occupied by the concert halls of the opera house. It is no coincidence that many tourists visit the Palace solely for the purpose of seeing and hearing the best opera and ballet performances performed by Mexican artists. This ensemble also includes the Museum of Architecture and the National Museum of Fine Arts.
The Dortmund Opera House, which officially opened in 1966, is considered one of Germany's largest cultural institutions. The theater company employs more than 500 employees, which is also a record for Germany. The building of the Dortmund Opera, which is very unusual in shape, consists of a main hall, small rehearsal rooms, cafes and restaurants.
The building of the Academic Opera and Ballet Theater was built in the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, in 1959. Theater building in gothic style was erected in the historical center of the city at the expense of the Baku millionaire Mailov. In 1959 the building became known as Academic theater opera and ballet. It presents the classic layout of an object of this type - there is a small lobby group, an auditorium with 1281 seats and a stage. For many people, it still remains a mystery how such a large facility was erected in about 10 months.
14.
Center music education"Sage Gateshead" in Gateshead, UK
Sage Gateshead Center for Music Education in Gateshead, UK
The Sage Gateshead Center for Music Education, located in the city of the same name in the north-east of England, was built in 2004 according to the design of the legendary British architect, Baron Norman Foster. The structure of this ultra-modern building is formed using two main elements - curved glass and stainless steel. Sage Gateshead mainly consists of 3 halls: a large (1700 seats) for main concerts, a small (400 seats) for smaller events, and a hall. The rest of the complex is occupied by bars, cafes and a media library.
Grand Theatre, built in 1825 on Teatralnaya Square in Moscow, is one of the oldest cultural buildings currently in operation. During its existence, this stunning building burned twice and went through about 7 reconstructions, which speaks of its significance. Several famous architects took part in the design process of the first building of the Bolshoi Theater in 1821 - Beauvais, Gilardi, Mikhailov and Melnikov. It is they who own the general structural plan of the Bolshoi, which, although not fully, has been preserved to this day. Then, as now, the plan of the theater was a fairly compact rectangular volume with a portico with a colonnade extended forward. The Bolshoi Theater is considered one of the main attractions and pride of not only Moscow, but throughout Russia.
16. Metropolitan Opera Musical Theater in New York, USA
Musical Theatre Metropolitan Opera in New York, USA
Musical theater "Metropolitan Opera" in New York: interior of the hall
One of the most prestigious in the world, the Metropolitan Opera House has existed since the 1880s, but received its current residence at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in Manhattan only in September 1966. This legendary complex includes: a large auditorium with seating for 3,900 spectators, and three auxiliary venues. The most important decorative elements in the theater's interior are the monumental frescoes of the famous emigrant artist Marc Chagall.
17. Harp Concert Hall in Reykjavik, Iceland
Harp Concert Hall in Reykjavik, Iceland
Harp Concert Hall in Reykjavik: interior of the hall
Built in 2011, the modern concert hall with the very original name “Harp” became the first truly large cultural facility in a European country that suffered more than others from the economic crisis and harsh weather conditions. Of course, the main highlight of the project by the talented Danish architect Olafur Eliasson was the delightful façade made of glass blocks shimmering in different colors. In addition to the luxurious and modernly decorated auditorium, the Harp houses a cafe, galleries and a theater museum.
The Arts Centre, designed by architect Roy Grounds in 1984 in Melbourne, is a cultural complex consisting of theater venues and concert halls. In total, the complex has two theater halls, the main one of which seats 600 people, and two concert halls (1200 and 400 people). The Center also hosts various exhibitions, the priority purpose of which is modern direction in art.
19. Concert Hall "Egg" in Albany, USA
Concert Hall "Egg" in Albany, USA
Concert Hall "Egg" in Albany: interior of the hall
Construction of the main concert hall of the capital of the state of New York was completed in 1980. The unusual egg-shaped building is located in the central square of Albany, Empire State Plaza, among a variety of government institutions. Such an unusual shape of the concert hall, combined with the severity of the volumes of the neighboring buildings, made the “Egg” the main symbol and tourist attraction of the capital city. The theater building housed two halls. One of them is designed for 450 visitors, and the other for 980.
The Concert Hall in Berlin, designed in 1821 by Karl Friedrich Schinkel in the neoclassical style, like the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow, is considered one of the most ancient cultural buildings in the world. Like its Moscow counterpart, the Berlin Concert Hall had to endure a lot - a major fire, arson, threats of demolition and many reconstructions. The façade of the Berlin concert hall is an example of a classical order system with columns, and the interiors of both the foyer and the hall itself are striking in the level of detail of the smallest artistic elements. The acoustics in the Berlin hall are one of the best in the world.
Construction of a new stage Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg ended in 2011 and cost the state treasury a record 22 billion rubles. The project of the Canadian bureau Diamond & Schmitt Architects, according to which the new building of the Mariinsky Theater was built, was personally chosen by the director of the theater, the famous conductor Valery Gergiev. Not long ago, the maestro admitted that despite the duration of construction (10 years) and the enormous financial costs, he was satisfied with his choice and the work done, because Mariinsky-2 is “the most modern and world-class public building in Russia.”
22. Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, Canada
Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, Canada
Concert hall "Roy Thomson Hall" in Toronto: interior of the hall
The Roy Thomson Hall was built in Toronto in 1982. Before restoration work in 2002, the hall accommodated more than 2,800 spectators, and after it - 2,630. The original spherical room is distinguished by asceticism of forms and “cold” acoustics, which is associated with the dominant concrete structures in the design. The central place in the layout of the hall belongs to a giant organ with 5207 pipes designed by the Canadian Gabriel Nee.
23. Esplanade Theater in Singapore
Esplanade Theater in Singapore
Esplanade Theater in Singapore: interior of the hall
The Esplanade Theater was built in rapidly developing Singapore in 2003 and has already become one of its symbols. In fact, the Esplanade is a complex of two hemispherical halls with a capacity of 1600 and 2000 spectators, two additional studios, a large shopping center and a theater under open air. In addition to its main function, the theater ensemble sometimes serves as a venue for negotiations, exhibitions and conferences. It is curious that the theater and concert hall are connected by a single lobby, which houses the entrance to the shopping center.
The Sydney Opera House, built in 1973 by Danish architect Jörn Utzon in the Expressionist style, is considered one of the most famous and easily recognizable buildings in the world. Also, the Sydney Opera House is the most important attraction of the entire continent. The two largest shell vaults form the ceilings of the two main halls: the Concert Hall and the Opera House. In other halls, the ceilings are formed using smaller vaults. The sail-shaped roof shells give the theater a unique feel. On June 28, 2007, the Sydney Opera House building acquired the status of an object World Heritage UNESCO.
The Vienna State Opera was built in 1869. Unfortunately, during the difficult years of the occupation of Austria (1938-45), the theater experienced a serious decline in interest. In 1945, during the bombing of the Austrian capital, the theater building was destroyed. It took about 10 years to completely restore it. In addition to opera and ballet performances, this complex annually hosts theatrical masquerade balls.
Like all architecture in general, the architecture of concert halls and theaters is constantly changing, becoming more free and unusual, as can be seen from our materials, and.
In search of entertainment for the evening, you don’t have to go to the website of every hall and club; just study our list of the ten best Moscow concert venues.
#1 Crocus City Hall
One of the largest concert halls in Moscow, performances by world celebrities take place here almost non-stop, and in 2013 the Miss Universe competition was held here. The main advantage of the hall is its size; it can accommodate up to 7,000 spectators. It was here that Sting, Lana Del Rey and Elton John performed when they visited Moscow on their tours. Although you can hear a variety of artists on the Crocus City Hall stage: a choir concert took place here Sretensky Monastery, rapper Basta and the Comedy Woman show.
Address: M. Myakinino, 65-66 km MKAD, Crocus City Hall Concert Hall. (M. Myakinino)
Backstreet Boys during a concert at Crocus City Hall
#2 Stadium Live
This is a concert venue from the founders of the B2 club, which can accommodate up to 8,000 spectators. The advantage of this platform is the ability to see the stage from anywhere in the hall due to the absence of interfering structures and a large number screens with online broadcast of what is happening. Another striking feature of this venue is the 140m long bar, which solves the problem of queuing for drinks. Very soon a concert of the One Republic group will take place here.
Address: metro station Sokol, Leningradsky prospect, 80 building 17
Foals performing at Stadium Live
#3 SK Olimpiyskiy
Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga - they all chose the Olympic Stadium as a platform for their performances. Only the biggest stars perform in this hall, because to fill a hall the size of a football field you need to be the best. In 2009, the Olympic became the venue for the Eurovision Song Contest, and besides it, festivals and awards of various TV channels are often held here. Due to the huge size of the complex, the sound quality suffers, but the Olympic Stadium is famous for its shows.
Address: m. Prospekt Mira, Olimpiysky Prospekt, 16
Olympic auditorium
#4 Space Moscow
This is a one-of-a-kind club where you can hear electronic music from the most famous DJs in the world. It was opened as a branch of the famous Space Ibiza club and they play internationally proven hits. The scope and pathos of the club matches that of Space on the Spanish island. The main goal of the club was to promote its philosophy and even revolutionize the club life of the capital.
Address: metro station Kutuzovskaya, Kutuzovsky prospect, 36, building 11
Dance floor of the Space Moscow club
#5 Club B2
It is in this club that concerts of legendary Russian and foreign rock bands. On days free from concerts, discos and jazz concerts are held here, and visitors can always spend the evening in a local bar. In B2, fans of rock music will be able to see musicians up close and enjoy live performances of their favorite songs. This club was created for those who do not like listening to music in huge halls.
Address: m. Mayakovskaya, st. Bolshaya Sadovaya, 8.
Lead singer of the group Splin Alexander Vasiliev during a performance in B2
#6 Moscow International House of Music
In search of classical music concerts, you should go to MMDM; world-famous opera singers often perform here, playing classics from Mozart to Shostakovich, as well as organ music and jazz. Even if you don't like the classics, the House of Music is worth a visit because of the magnificent architectural ensemble, from the roof of which you can see the Moscow River embankment and the Novospassky Monastery.
Address: Paveletskaya metro station, Kosmodamianskaya embankment, 52, building 8
Moscow International House of Music
#7 16 tons
The oldest English pub in Moscow, specializing in performances by guitar groups. 16 tons is divided into two floors, the first is a pub itself, decorated in a traditional English style, where visitors can try beer made in their own brewery. The second floor is a nightclub, where almost every day there are performances by Russian and foreign groups.
Address: m. Street 1905, st. Presnensky Val, 6, building 1
The Pizza group performing at the 16 Tons club
#8 Park named after. Gorky
Gorky Park has long become more than just a place for walking. There are several stages for performances, including the Musical Stage and the Green Theater, designed in the form of an amphitheater and preserved from the 30s of the twentieth century. A concert in a Soviet open-air amphitheater gives visitors high-quality sound and a special experience. The park regularly hosts concerts, festivals and even proms, but all performances take place here only in the warmer months of the year.
Address: M. Oktyabrskaya, st. Krymsky Val, 9, building 1
Svoy Cleanup in Gorky Park
#9 GlavClub
This is a new Moscow club that specializes in holding concerts of major and not so big stars. Although it opened only recently, its schedule is already filled with concerts of various performers, from metropolitan rappers to foreign rock bands, such as the Blue Foundation.
Address: m. Leninsky Prospekt, st. Ordzhonikidze, 11
Pete Doherty performing at GlavClub
#10 Club Ray Just Arena
This club specializes in contemporary music concerts. Ray Just Arena is better known under its old name – Arena Moscow. The club's reputation suffered significantly due to the cancellation of several concerts, including the interruption of the performance of the British group Placebo in the middle. Despite this, the club remains a great place to dance to the club music of famous DJs.
Address: metro station Dynamo, Leningradsky Prospekt, 31, building 4
Ray Just Arena Concert Hall Big hall The Moscow Conservatory is one of the most famous concert halls in the world.
Excellent design, convenient location and - most importantly for musicians - excellent acoustics have earned it a well-deserved reputation as the best concert venue in Moscow and Russia.
Its grand opening took place on April 7 (20), 1901.
The building was built according to the design of the architect V.P. Zagorsky. From the old house, built on this site for Princess E.R. Dashkova at the end of the 18th century, he left only the famous facade with a semi-rotunda.
Much was done with the money of Moscow patrons - from furniture and carpets to the beautiful (Cavaillé Col) of 1899, which still adorns the Great Hall.
Back in 1900, at the Paris World Exhibition, it was recognized as one of the best organs in the world.
The Great Hall in the history of Moscow is more than just a concert hall.
First world war(in 1915 - 1917) a military hospital was located here, and from 1924 to 1933 during the daytime the Great Hall was a popular cinema.
Painted in light colors, the Great Hall captivates with the strict simplicity of its classical lines and proportions.
In 1954, a monument to P. I. Tchaikovsky, whose name the Moscow Conservatory has proudly borne since 1940, was unveiled in front of it.
The best soloists and groups of the world perform in the Great Hall, and also host international festivals and competitions, among them the world famous Competition named after P. I. Tchaikovsky.
“This is the capital’s most beloved hall,” the outstanding Soviet pianist and teacher Heinrich Neuhaus said about it.
By the decision of the Academic Council of November 28, 2006, the building of the Great Hall (the main building of the Moscow Conservatory) was named after the founder of the Moscow Conservatory, N. G. Rubinstein.
Number of seats: 1737
st. Bolshaya Nikitskaya, 13/6