11.1 Newsmakers - Reconstruction of Baku's Premiere Music Hall

Spring 2003 (11.1)
Page 12

Newsmakers
Reconstruction of Baku's Premiere Music Hall

Baku's newly renovated Philharmonic Hall is scheduled to open this May. For many months, work has been carried out night and day in order to complete the project in time for the President's 80th birthday on May 10th. In late March, President Aliyev visited Baku's favorite music hall to view the progress on the building which has been closed since 1997.

Initially, the Philharmonic was scheduled to open on May 10 to commemorate the President's Birthday, but Aliyev is eager for the first concert to be performed on May 8 when world-renown cellist Mstislav Rostroprovich, who was born in Baku, arrives in town to participate in the week's celebrations.

The Philharmonic Hall was designed by Ter-Mikalov in the Italian Renaissance style. Construction was originally completed in 1912.

Photos: Top Left: President Aliyev, center, visits the Philharmonic, Baku's premiere music hall. Top Reconstruction has been ongoing since 1997. The President visited the site in late March and was accompanied by Abid Sharifov, Vice Prime Minister (right) and head of the renovation project, and Polad Bulbuloghlu Minister of Culture (standing behind the President). (Photo by Rafig Babayev)
Bottom Left: Interior of the dome in the concert hall. (Photo by Oleg Litvin) Right top and bottom: Rate of progress as of March 2003. (Photos: Elman Gurbanov)