World's smallest concert hall tries to engage largest audience

World
Europe

Barely 15 square meters in size and made entirely out of glass, the world’s smallest concert hall, known as the Klarafestival Box, stands out on the famous Place Flagey in Brussels.

The concert hall contains one piano and three seats providing what the organizers refer to as an “intense and intimate” 10-minute classical music concert.

The glass walls on the container mean the public can look in on the 114 performances planned in Brussels with the intention being that it will engage people who might not ordinarily listen to classical music.

An artist sing in the concert box. /CGTN Photo

Pianist, Elias Van Dyck, 22, wants to break the stereotype of the classical music demographic.

“You're always getting the idea that classical music is for old people,” Van Dyck said. “But I don't feel that's right. I think young people are very interested in it as well, providing they feel welcome and they feel informed and able to understand it."

Performers at the venue range from up and coming Belgian musicians like Van Dyck to internationally recognized stars. At the end of the concert, patrons get the opportunity to talk with the musicians.

Audience admiring music in the concert hall. /CGTN‍ Photo

The free tickets were snapped up almost immediately when they were put online - as you might expect when there are only three seats.

Student, Louis Damian von Habsburg, 19, who had attended a piano and opera duo in the box, said he felt "the sound was really good - for a box."

The smallest concert hall in the world. /CGTN Photo

The UK's Classic FM radio station says it's seen a spike in the number of young listeners with over 1.2m under 35s tuning in every week.

But other British research shows a drop in the number of young people attending concerts has been declining.

The concert box aims to change that and will tour the Belgian cities of Brugge and Antwerp later on in 2018.

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