Royal Festival Hall [London]
Royal Festival Hall
theatre building, United Kingdom
bouwwerk in Londen
Festival Hall
Concert hall, built 1949-1951 by Sir Robert H. Matthews and Leslie Martin with E. Williams and Peter Moro (acoustics consultants: Hope Bagenal with H. R. Humphreys, P. H. Parkin, and W. A. Allen) as a contribution of the London County Council to the Festival of Britain 1951. Opened 1951 with a concert of British music, attended by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. The concert hall can be converted into a theatre by erecting a proscenium arch. 1954 installation of the Festival Hall Organ by Ralph Downes. 1964 installation of an assisted resonance system. Home to the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Philharmonia Orchestra. Used for symphonic concerts, and jazz, rock, dance, and world music performances. Operated as part of Southbank Centre. 2909 seats.