CALGARY – Members of the media were given a sneak-peak at the city’s newest concert hall on Thursday afternoon.
Mount Royal University’s Bella Concert Hall will be located at the heart of a new conservatory, which is currently under construction.
MRU says the mid-sized concert hall will provide 773 seats perfect for performances requiring an intimate setting.
“When we first saw the venue we were absolutely thrilled at the prospect of having education concerts here. In addition to being a beautiful space a wonderful concert hall with all sorts of facilities, it’s going to be acoustically spectacular as well ,”said Heather Slater of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.
“It’s a very intimate space so when you are sitting in the seats you will feel like you are part of the action on stage.”
The interior of the hall’s design pays homage to Alberta’s rural heritage, with structural elements reminiscent of the weathered barns that dot the province’s prairie landscape.
“The design architects Pfeiffer Partners from Los Angeles came out and worked with us on many beautiful concepts of western Canadian images of the prairies. You will see an amazing barn structure, that doesn’t really look like a barn but it is striking,” said Paul Dornian, MRU’s conservatory director.
Officials say the project would not have been possible without a $21-million contribution provided by the Taylor family.
The hall is named in honour of their family matriarch Mary Belle Taylor, who was known as ‘Bella’ to her friends and family.
The public will be offered a look at the building on Saturday, January 24th.
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