Gewandhaus [Leipzig]
Gewandhaus
Theatre building in Leipzig, Germany
bouwwerk in Saksen
Built 1977-1981 by Rudolf Skoda, Eberhard Göschel, Volker Sieg, and Winfried Sziegolei on the former site of the Museum der Bildenden Künste. Acoustics consultants: Wolfgang Fasold, Helgo Winkler, Hans-Peter Tennhardt, Eberhard Küstner. Main foyer ceiling painting (size: 712 m²) by Sighard Gille. Named in reference to the first home of the orchestra, the Gewandhaus (1781), formerly an exhibition house for cloth makers. Opened 8 Oct 1981 with a gala event. Used for symphonic concerts, chamber recitals, and congresses. Home to the Gewandhaus-Orchester. - The complex includes two halls: Großer Saal: Organ by Schuke (6638 pipes). Opened 9/10 Oct 1981 with Siegfried Thiele's Gesänge an die Sonne and Beethoven's Symphony No. 9. . 1995 organ restoration. 1900 seats. Mendelssohn-Saal: Opened 11 Oct 1981 as Kleiner Saal. 1997 rebuilding. Re-opened 28 Sep 1997 as Mendelssohn-Saal. 498 seats.