02 · GALLERY
Five frames.
The Shanghai Symphony Hall sits in the French Concession, sunken half a storey below grade so the surrounding plane trees stay the dominant skyline. Isozaki designed the architecture, Toyota the acoustics. The smaller of the two main rooms, 1,200 seats, has a reputation among working conductors as the better-sounding Asian shoebox hall built this century. The chamber room next door is a 400-seat jewel for early music and contemporary chamber work. Sunday afternoon performances draw the most rigorous audience in Asia, and the audience is part of the room.
The smaller 1,200-seat main hall is acoustically superior to the larger NCPA Beijing Concert Hall. Programme accordingly.
Shanghai's serious-music anchor, sister entry to Beijing's Egg.
Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Friday and Saturday evening subscription concerts. The MISA Music Festival in August features international young artists. October's National Day holiday concerts are the most-attended of the year.
Box office 10:00 to 19:00 daily. Performances most evenings. Closed Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) week.
Shanghai Metro Line 10 or 1 to Hengshan Road, five-minute walk through the French Concession. The hall is on Fuxing Middle Road, partially sunken below the plane trees of the neighbourhood.