<p>Brno Philharmonic insists on a new hall, does not want to move to the opera</p>

Brno - The Brno Philharmonic insists on the construction of a new concert hall, which has been discussed in Brno for almost a hundred years. The proposed reconstruction of the Janáček Theatre, which would become the home stage for both the philharmonic and the opera and ballet of the National Theatre Brno after reconstruction and improvement of acoustic conditions, is rejected by the orchestra's management. "From an operational point of view, it is impossible," said Bohuš Zoubek, the director of the Brno Philharmonic, to journalists today.
    Currently, the orchestra performs in the small hall of the Besední dům, while larger concerts take place in the Janáček Theatre. However, neither of these halls is suitable, as they have poor acoustics and other shortcomings. "We actually don't even know what our philharmonic sounds like; we would have to go to some quality hall and listen to it there," said Alena Štěpánková Veselá, the chairwoman of the Brno Society of Friends of Music.
    According to Zoubek, the reconstruction of the Janáček Theatre is not the solution. "The orchestra needs proper facilities. Nowhere in the world have I encountered a situation where a philharmonic shares a hall with an opera," Zoubek stated. Architect Ivan Ruller, who participated in the construction of the Janáček Theatre, also disagrees. "The reconstruction would take the theatre out of operation for two years or more, it would destroy what is of quality there, and we still wouldn't achieve what we want," Ruller told ČTK today.
    According to philharmonic members, the only way to ensure optimal conditions for the orchestra's artistic activities is to build a new hall, the so-called Janáček Cultural Center, which is to be created on Veselá Street in close proximity to the Besední dům. The construction is also supported by the Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts. "Especially the Department of Composition and Conducting has a number of orchestral concerts, and we often have capacity issues at the Besední dům. Orchestras cannot fit there," said university pro-rector Leoš Faltus.
    The city council has long postponed the construction, still searching for a suitable way to finance it. Only in September was the preparation of project documentation for zoning proceedings approved. However, decisions about the construction are likely to be made in about a year. The general support for the construction of the hall is included in the electoral programs of the Civic, Christian, and Social Democrats, as well as the Brno Communists. The costs have not yet been precisely calculated, but they will certainly exceed one billion crowns. Contributions are expected from the city, the region, the state, the European Union, and the private sector.