The Queen Elisabeth Hall (in Dutch: "Koningin Elisabethzaal") is a concert and event venue located at the Koningin Astridplein in Antwerp, Belgium. It has a capacity of 2,000 seats and the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra is its residential orchestra. The Queen Elisabeth Hall is part of the Elisabeth Center of Antwerp, managed by the Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp (Koninklijke Maatschappij voor Dierkunde Antwerpen). [1]
In 1897, the 'Grote Feestzaal’ was built on the site of the current Queen Elisabeth Hall to accommodate concerts organized by the Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp. The very first concert hall was built by Émile Thielens. It was part of the ‘Feestzalencomplex’ (Party Hall Complex) and was used for dance and symphonic concerts for the wealthy class bourgeoisie. [2]
The complex was badly damaged during World War II and then burned down in 1947. In 1959, a new concert hall was built by Rie Haan with elements from Expo ‘58. In 1960, the new Queen Elisabeth Hall was opened by Queen Elisabeth. [2]
In 2011 a new Queen Elisabeth Hall was commissioned, the third concert hall on the same site. The design was a collaboration between SimpsonHaugh and Partners from Manchester, Kirkegaard Associates from Chicago, and the Bureau Bouwtechniek from Antwerp, and the project was financed by the Flemish Government with a budget of EUR 57.2 million. The new Queen Elisabeth Hall was opened by Queen Mathilde [2] [3] [4] on November 25, 2016.
To optimize the acoustics, architects SimpsonHaugh collaborated with Kirkegaard Associates to develop a shoebox-shaped hall. In addition, the absence of a fixed apron stage minimized transmission loss. Reflectors (movable acoustic panels) suspended from the ceiling of the structure allow sound to fully project into the hall, and can be adjusted or removed as needed. The cavities between the oak panels on the sides and the concrete wall behind them are filled with lava sand to prevent vibration. [1]
Kirkegaard Associates rated the sound quality of the new hall at 9.3 out of 10, compared to 6.0 before. [1]
The Queen Elisabeth Hall is a multifunctional hall. There are good sightlines from every seat in the hall to the podium, and patrons can use the public areas before, during and after a performance. To reduce the turnaround time for productions, the stage floor consists of 12 movable sections and the fly loft above the stage holds lighting and scenery. Additionally, there are 70 chorus seats at the back of the stage for either the chorus or audience members, or they can be entirely removed to extend the depth of the stage.
Depending on the layout (concert, congress, theatre), the Queen Elisabeth Hall can seat between 1,850 and 2,000. [1]
The Queen Elisabeth Hall is located close to Antwerp Central Station, which has domestic and also international train links. In addition, the venue is located close to a number of bus, tram, and metro routes, and there are several car parks nearby. There is step-free access into the foyer from street level, with modern lifts connecting the foyer and auditorium.
The Queen Elisabeth Hall is used for classical music performances, congresses, and sometimes pop stars. [2]
The hall will be used as a venue for the 2021 World Choir Games, co-hosted by Antwerp and Ghent. [5]
The Antwerp Symphony Orchestra has been the orchestra of residence at the Queen Elisabeth Hall since the opening of the new hall in November 2016. The orchestra performs concerts under the baton of chief conductor Elim Chan, and honorary conductor Philippe Herreweghe, [6] and also uses the hall for recordings. [7]
Symphony Center is a music complex located at 220 South Michigan Avenue in the Loop area of Chicago, Illinois. Home to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra; Chicago Symphony Chorus; Civic Orchestra of Chicago; and the Institute for Learning, Access, and Training; Symphony Center includes the 2,522-seat Orchestra Hall, which dates from 1904; Buntrock Hall, a rehearsal and performance space; Grainger Ballroom, an event space overlooking Michigan Avenue and the Art Institute of Chicago; a public multi-story rotunda; Forte restaurant and café; and administrative offices. In June 1993, plans to significantly renovate and expand Orchestra Hall were approved and the $110 million project resulting in Symphony Center began in 1995 and was completed in 1997.
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The Queen Elisabeth Competition is an international competition for career-starting musicians held in Brussels. The competition is named after Queen Elisabeth of Belgium (1876–1965). It is a competition for classical violinists, pianists, singers and cellists. It also used to hold international competitions for composers from 1953 to 2012. The current Patron is Queen Mathilde of Belgium.
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The Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts (JCPA) is a performing arts center located in Jacksonville, Florida. Situated along the Riverbank, the venue is known as the First Coast’s "premiere riverfront entertainment facility". Originally opening in 1962, the facility was renovated beginning in 1995 until 1997; with a grand re-opening on February 8, 1997. The center consists of three venues: a theatre; concert hall and recital hall. It is home to the Jacksonville Symphony, Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra, and the FSCJ Artist Series.
Wim Henderickx was a Belgian composer of contemporary classical music. He was composer in residence at Muziektheater Transparant and the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, writing operas and other stage works. His music was influenced by oriental music and philosophy. He taught composition at the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp and the Conservatorium van Amsterdam.
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