Designed with acoustics in mind, the Dortmund Concert Hall is the city’s preeminent venue for recitals. Dazzling lights illuminate the exterior of this modern home of glitz, jazz and classical music. Attend some of the shows on the greatly varied program in this illustrious hall.
Arrive outside the site and admire the glassy sheen wrapping around the building’s façade. Inside stands a tall and airy atrium, with angled ceilings and elegant wooden frames. Dine in the upscale surroundings of the Stravinski Restaurant, which generally opens before and after shows. You can also get drinks and snacks here during breaks in the performance.
Go on one of the public guided tours that take place four times during each season. These provide a view behind the scenes and a lesson on the history and context of the theater.
Watch a recital in the auditorium, where everything from classical symphonies to pop and jazz music is played. It has 1,550 seats and makes use of the so-called shoebox principle, allowing for the best possible acoustics and reverberations. Appreciate how the intricate lighting system changes the ambiance to suit the performance.
Before leaving, pick up a souvenir in the gift shop, where the concert hall’s winged rhinoceros emblem reigns. Check out the program calendar online to decide when you’ll be back.
The venue was constructed in 2002. Make an advance request if you would like a group tour. Note that prices vary depending on the show, although you can usually get discounts for youths and groups.
The Dortmund Concert Hall is right in the center of the city. Take the U-Bahn to the Reinoldkirche or Kampstraße stop or walk east for a few minutes from the Dortmund Hbf station to get here. Explore the rest of the district for other highlights including the Museum of Cultural and Artistic History, the Werkstatt Bibel and the Dortmund Theater.
