Rudolfinum is being renovated, it will open up more to the public

Prague - Where people were listening to music last June, drills can now be heard. A major renovation has begun in the Prague Rudolfinum after a quarter of a century. All the seats have been removed from Dvořák Hall and the floor is being redone, with massive scaffolding in the foyer. The facilities for musicians and the café are also set to change. The Czech Philharmonic has started repairs costing around 100 million crowns as part of the two-year project Open Rudolfinum. However, it should not jeopardize the upcoming season. The first phase must be completed by the beginning of September, before the concerts start.
    The spaces of more than a thousand seats in Dvořák Hall are empty. Some are being repaired by an upholsterer, while others are piled under a tarp in the foyer where people normally walk during concert intermissions. The unique wooden stage is also being refurbished. "The double basses and cellos dig into it as they lean during concerts, which is why it’s being sanded down," points out the Czech Philharmonic project manager Lukáš Duchek during an interview with ČTK, indicating the floor.
    The walls of the concert hall are covered with large plastic sheets. "After each sanding, the underlay needs to be vacuumed so that it doesn’t clog the air conditioning, and so that work can continue," he comments on the unusual sight of a worker with a vacuum cleaner. There were fears, for example, regarding the disassembly of the seats. However, in the end, none were damaged. Upholsterers in the workshops most often repair frayed "armrests," which suffer from frequent human contact.
    After 25 years since the last renovation, which cost two billion crowns, it has become clear that much needs to be improved in Rudolfinum. "The building should be more open to the public. In the future, we would like to establish a new restaurant operation here, independent of the building, which could serve as a meeting place with the musicians or classical music," plans Duchek. For instance, the Column Hall for the café will undergo significant changes only next year.
    The Czech Philharmonic received a 65 million crown subsidy for the current repairs from its founder - the Ministry of Culture in 2011. Other costs will be covered by an energy-saving project and the Philharmonic’s budget.
    The foyer is also undergoing a major transformation, where scaffolding is currently expanding. "Its construction is not attached to the walls so that the masonry is not compromised, but is supported from the side to ensure it does not move and is stabilized," explains Duchek. Acoustic panels are being installed there to improve acoustics and reduce reverberation time. The same color scheme as the original wall must also be maintained. All of this is under the supervision of heritage conservationists.
    According to Duchek, the repair of the illuminated ceilings above the foyer and gallery will prevent significant heat loss in the winter months. Polycarbonate panels will be added to them, which will also ensure the required humidity and temperature for exhibitions. The improvement of visitor comfort is expected to be aided in the foyer by more ladies' restrooms, which previously had unpleasant queues during concert intermissions. A children's group for educational programs is also set to be established in Rudolfinum.
    Czech Philharmonic spokesperson Petra Zindulková added that the composition of the orchestra has also changed over the years; there are more women in it. This, she says, has influenced further construction adjustments in the underground tuning rooms and dressing rooms. Since musicians have demanding jobs that are often difficult to reconcile with family life, the Philharmonic is considering building facilities for their children as well.
    Duchek admits that the deadlines are tight, but they must be met, he insists. "So far, everything is going according to schedule, so there shouldn't be any problem," he promises.