RCO House, Amsterdam
(c) Team V Architectuur
The official opening of RCO House, the new home of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, at Metsustraat 16 in Amsterdam, will take place on Saturday 19 January, the RCO announced today. Various opening festivities are planned around this date.
The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra is moving into RCO House shortly after its 130th anniversary. The press-release says: « This historical event is fulfilling a long-cherished dream. Now, orchestra, staff and public will be able to meet in this municipal monument on the Museumplein, within a stone’s throw of The Concertgebouw. »
The building from 1908, designed by the eminent Dutch architect H.P. Berlage, has been renovated, restored and provided with new-build elements to meet all requirements of the orchestra. The orchestra managed to raise €10 million from private individuals, funds and companies. An additional €1,2 million has been raised for activities in RCO House.
The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra musicians will henceforth be able to prepare their orchestra pieces or chamber music programs in the ten acoustically insulated music studios of RCO House – instead of having to rely on renting space elsewhere as previously the case.
In the building, the Amsterdam Hall provides a perfect space for chamber music, introductions to concerts, auditions and educational activities. RCO House also has reception rooms, offices and conference rooms, and a common room where musicians, staff and relations of the orchestra can meet. Starting in the new season, workshops for schools will be held at RCO House as well as scheduling a public event every month.
