Dvořákova Siň – Rudolfinum

9 November 2007

Česka Filharmonie

Dvořák – Concerto in B Minor – Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, Cello

Strauss – A Hero’s Life

The Rudolfinum is one of the landmark buildings in Praha on Vltava River—clearly visible from the castle and farther up and down the banks. J. Schulz and J. Zítek designed one of the finer examples of neo-renaissance architecture in the world. Construction was completed in 1885. The building contains 2 halls; the larger is named for Dvorak and the other goes by the Czech word for small—Suk. The Dvořákova Siň is a lavishly decorated hall that unfortunately is broken up by the presence of gigantic columns across the balcony. After hearing the show, I was able to conclude that these columns don’t cause any acoustic problems. Schulz and Zítek were adhering to the rules of design as they knew them, but I would rather have those extra seats and unobstructed views. Several of the people behind me looked like they were struggling to see around the columns at times. The architects also placed mirrors throughout the building; there was even one on the stairway landing heading up to the balcony. I have to assume that the way one looks at a show is of the utmost importance, thus requiring all those opportunities to check your hair or see if that purse still matches that dress. Conceived as a building for elite social events, all the stops were pulled out, including the beautiful ceiling and chandeliers overhead. The image of the Rudolfinum has to be based around this kind of grandeur, almost to the point of superfluous grandeur.