(source: Sme - Pavol Funtál)
AFTER spending more than two years in a ‘borrowed’ venue – the historical building of the Slovak National Theatre – the Slovak Philharmonic (SF) Orchestra and Choir will soon return home. The old “Reduta” building just opposite the national theatre, where the SF has been resident since 1949, has been undergoing a complete renovation and is almost ready to welcome the ensemble back.
The Reduta dates back to the beginning of the 20th century; the current restoration has not only helped to preserve it but also improved some of its facilities (for instance, by creating enough space, and a lift, for a large organ) and has also sought to implement the original design. The 1910 design was never completed due to lack of funds: though the plans were completed in 1910, actual construction did not begin until 1913 and the intervention of World War I meant much of the funding evaporated. The current work tries to come as close as possible to the original design, particularly with the use of real gold leaf for the interior gilding.
A festival concert on January 26 will mark the re-opening of the Reduta Concert Hall. Although some problems emerged during the renovation, the final date for re-opening has been kept.
Under its principal conductor, Frenchman Emmanuel Villaume, the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra and the Slovak Philharmonic Choir will perform Beethoven’s Symphony No 9 in D Minor. The soloists will be Simona Houda-Šaturová (soprano), Terézia Kruž-liaková (alto), Ľudovít Ludha (tenor), and Peter Mikuláš (bass). With two matinees on January 27, the SF’s concerts will thenceforth take place mostly at the Reduta.
