Koningin Elisabethzaal

Koningin Elisabethzaal, or Queen Elisabeth Hall, is one of Antwerp's most important concert venues, standing right next to the city's zoo in the heart of Antwerp. It is the home stage of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra and a venue that has hosted classical concerts, pop and rock shows, theatre performances and congresses for decades.

Where did the hall come from?

The story goes back to the late 19th century and the Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp (KMDA), an association dedicated to zoology and nature conservation. In 1895 the society's management came up with the idea of organizing concerts on the grounds of Antwerp Zoo. The first concert hall was built by architect Émile Thielens and opened on 25 July 1897 as part of a larger complex of banquet and reception halls.

What happened to the original building?

The complex suffered severe damage during the Second World War, so extensive that rebuilding it in its original form was out of the question. It was only in 1959 that work began on an entirely new, modern concert hall, which opened the following year, in 1960, in the presence of Queen Elisabeth of Belgium — the person the hall is named after.

Who has performed here?

Over the following decades, Queen Elisabeth Hall was used intensively not only for classical and contemporary music concerts but also for youth performances, theatre productions and congresses. The stage has welcomed world-famous names, including Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Jacques Brel, Herman van Veen, Brian Wilson, Bryan Ferry and Nick Cave.

Why was the hall rebuilt?

As the decades passed, the 1960s building fell noticeably behind modern standards — its acoustics were rated barely 6 out of 10. In 2011 a decision was made to completely rebuild the hall using modern acoustic and architectural techniques. The new complex, which also includes a convention centre, opened in 2016 in the presence of Queen Mathilde.

What does the hall look like today?

The result of the renovation is striking — the new hall's acoustics are rated 9.3 out of 10, putting Queen Elisabeth Hall on a par with comparable concert halls in Amsterdam, Vienna and Boston. Depending on the type of event, seating capacity ranges from 1,850 to 2,020 seats. The hall remains the residence of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, and its programme combines classical music, pop and rock concerts, and business and congress events.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Koningin Elisabethzaal located? The hall stands in the centre of Antwerp, right next to the city's zoo.

Which orchestra is based there? The Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, for which Koningin Elisabethzaal is the main performance venue.

When did the current, rebuilt version of the hall open? The new complex opened in 2016, following a reconstruction that began in 2011.

Does the hall only host classical concerts? No — besides classical music, the hall has also hosted major pop and rock acts, as well as theatre performances and congresses.