National Concert Hall

National Concert Hall. The National Concert Hall is a concert hall located in Earlsfort Terrace in Dublin, Ireland, and it is home to the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, and the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. The hall hosts a wide range of performances, including classical music concerts, jazz performances, and traditional Irish music sessions, featuring renowned musicians such as Andrea Bocelli, Lang Lang, and The Chieftains. It has also hosted performances by the Berlin Philharmonic, conducted by Simon Rattle, and the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Valery Gergiev.

● History

The National Concert Hall was opened in 1981, and it was designed by the Scott Tallon Walker architectural firm, which also designed the Samuel Beckett Theatre at Trinity College Dublin. The hall was built on the site of the former University College Dublin Earlsfort Terrace campus, which was previously home to the Royal University of Ireland and the National University of Ireland. The National Concert Hall has a rich history of hosting performances by world-renowned musicians, including Plácido Domingo, Renee Fleming, and Joshua Bell, as well as Irish Chamber Orchestra and the Crash Ensemble. It has also hosted events such as the Dublin International Piano Festival and the Walton's Music for Schools programme, in association with Music Network and the Association of Irish Choirs.

● Architecture

The National Concert Hall is a postmodern building, designed by Scott Tallon Walker, which also designed the O'Reilly Hall at University College Dublin and the Helix at Dublin City University. The hall features a large concert hall with a seating capacity of over 1,200 people, as well as a smaller recital hall and a theatre. The building's design was influenced by the works of Le Corbusier and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and it features a unique blend of modern architecture and historical preservation, similar to the Sydney Opera House and the Royal Albert Hall. The National Concert Hall is located near the National Museum of Ireland and the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, and it is within walking distance of St. Stephen's Green and the Grafton Street shopping district, which is home to the Brown Thomas department store and the Weir & Sons jewellers.

● Performances

The National Concert Hall hosts a wide range of performances throughout the year, including classical music concerts, jazz performances, and traditional Irish music sessions, featuring musicians such as Christine Brewer, Dawn Upshaw, and John Williams. The hall is home to the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, which performs regularly in the hall, and it has also hosted performances by the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel and Alan Gilbert. The National Concert Hall has also hosted performances by pop music and rock music artists, including Elton John, Bob Dylan, and The Script, as well as comedy acts such as Dara Ó Briain and Ed Byrne, and theatre productions by companies such as the Abbey Theatre and the Gate Theatre.

● Facilities

The National Concert Hall features a range of facilities, including a large concert hall with a seating capacity of over 1,200 people, a smaller recital hall with a seating capacity of over 300 people, and a theatre with a seating capacity of over 400 people. The hall also features a range of rehearsal rooms and practice rooms, as well as a restaurant and a bar, which are operated by Avoca Handweavers and Butlers Chocolates. The National Concert Hall is also home to the RTÉ Performing Groups administration office, and it has a range of technical facilities, including a sound system and a lighting system, which are maintained by RTÉ and Sound Training College. The hall is located near the Luas Green Line and the Dublin Bus city centre routes, making it easily accessible by public transport, and it is also within walking distance of the Dublin Writers' Museum and the Olympia Theatre.

● Management

The National Concert Hall is managed by the National Concert Hall Board, which is responsible for the programming and operation of the hall. The board is chaired by Robert Watt, and it includes members such as Noirín Hayes and Maurice Foley, who have experience in the arts administration and music industry, having worked with organizations such as the Arts Council of Ireland and the Music Network. The National Concert Hall is also supported by a range of sponsors and partners, including RTÉ, Bord Gáis Energy, and Dublin City Council, as well as The Irish Times and Raidió Teilifís Éireann. The hall has a strong commitment to education and community outreach, and it offers a range of music education programmes and workshops for schools and community groups, in association with Music Generation and the Irish Music Rights Organisation. Category:Concert halls in Ireland