The new hall of the Moscow Music House opened its doors to listeners. On the first evening they were met on stage by Vladimir Spivakov, the Chamber Orchestra «Moscow Virtuosi» and the soprano Anna Aglatova.

These signs help to navigate – the entrance to the New Hall of the House of Music is separate. There is a red carpet at the opening. And while listeners are studying the new concert space, musicians under the direction of Vladimir Spivakov are already rehearsing and comparing this hall with the former rehearsal room.

«And the large orchestra rehearses here, and here the ceilings are high, you can breathe peacefully», said Vladimir Spivakov, People’s Artist of the USSR and artistic director of the Moscow Virtuosi chamber orchestra.

Vladimir Spivakov personally participated in the decoration of the New Hall. Under his leadership, a unique exposition appeared in the foyer: works of art by famous contemporary artists and sculptors from the maestro’s personal collection.

«I wanted to make that space an art space corresponding to good museums of modern art», admitted Vladimir Spivakov.

Once Vladimir Spivakov was faced with the choice of becoming a musician or an artist. Now, when he talks about this exhibition and Schnittke’s memorial room next to the New Hall, he hides a conductor’s stick in his pocket to give a tour.

From fine art to music. The new hall can accommodate 286 spectators. The space is multifunctional: chamber and symphony groups can perform here, the hall is ideal for theatre productions and film screenings. Simulated acoustics, production lighting, multi-channel amplification system, video projection equipment and transformable stage.

«It is divided into segments, each of which functions in its own right, rises and falls separately from the others, which makes it possible to make an adaptable stage for different tasks of the artist, as well as to conduct rehearsals and concerts of choral groups, which already stand on this stage as if on machines», said Evgeny Chernikov, Deputy General Director of the Moscow International House of Music.

Soloist of the Bolshoi Theatre Anna Aglatova has rehearsed many times in the New Hall, and now she is the first singer to give a concert here.

«I think that everyone who will be performing will be very comfortable in this hall. Even though it is not an amphitheatre, as we used to, but an absolutely flat surface. It doesn’t interfere with either the acoustics or the performance, even on the contrary – I think it’s even more comfortable in terms of communication with the audience», the singer said.

The concert programme includes compositions by Rossini, Mozart and Donizetti. Thanks to the most modern equipment, all the events that take place in this hall can be broadcast on the Internet and on the radio.

Lydia Alyoshina