Concert Hall Renovations
Just when Music Hall renovations appear to be stalled because no one seems to be in charge -- here's a story out of Denver about the overhaul of that city's concert hall -- Boettcher Concert Hall.
Denver Post arts critic Kyle MacMillan says that a task force recommended a $100 million makeover, with plans to expand the 29-year-old hall. The problems sound familiar: "inadequate public spaces, inferior backstage amenities and troubled acoustics."
They plan a wraparound, multistory glass lobby and -- get this -- a reconfiguration of the facility's 2,634 seats.
It's deja vu all over again!
Here's an interesting coincidence: Fisher Dachs Assoc. designed the hall, the same theater consultant on the Music Hall project.
Read the story to see how MacMillian says it will be funded -- by bond issues and increased taxes. Also, the Colorado Symphony has agreed to provide $30 million in private funding.
Photo: Fisher Dachs Associates
posted by Janelle Gelfand at 9:47 AM
5 Comments:
at 8/03/2007 11:11:00 PM 
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at 8/13/2007 11:07:00 PM 
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at 8/14/2007 02:35:00 PM 
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at 8/14/2007 02:53:00 PM 
Janelle Gelfand said...
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at 8/16/2007 10:55:00 PM 
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Post a Comment*Horrible thought that Music Hall might be tampered with--"inferior backstage amenities and troubled acoustics" may be Denver's problems but NOT OURS.
MH acoustics should not be touched;backstage seems to be comfortable to visitors and musicians
who usually spend more time ON STAGE,making music.
Perhaps the empty seats could be filled by LOWERING some ticket prices--these seats are the eyesores that tempt the consultants to suggest glass enclosures of some balcony sections.
Then what would happen to the sellout OPERA AND MAY FESTIVAL crowds?
Let us hope the execs will try to fill those seats with music lovers,
who love the beauty of the Hall as it is, and only come to hear beautiful music in this nostalgic palace. R-G
The backstage facilities are shameful. The locker rooms' have plaster falling in from constant water leaks,the toilets don't always function properly. The warm-up spaces are pathetic and the rehearsal room (other than the stage) is just awful. The hall's acoustics,as 95% of the musicians who've ever played there (or listened to a concert there) will tell you, leave much to be desired.
For example, listen to a piano concerto from house right balcony---you can't hear the left hand.The community and the orchestra deserve better.
Finally a musician has come forward to give first hand info on backstage facilities, but could those be fixed as ordinary repairs and not spend $MM to tear up the beautiful MH itself. Acoustics are often iffy in every location, in any city, no hall is perfect.Backstage plumbing and painting is not the CSO problem, it is a city bldg. A==G
The question is, will the City take responsibility for all the repairs that are needed? A study is being undertaken as we speak, and it will be in the millions -- just to fix the leaky roof, old pipes, etc.
10's of millions for the HVAC system alone.
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