L'Auditori Barcelona, Sala Pau Casals, © May/Zircus

Auditori de Barcelona

Barcelone, Espagne

Auditori de Barcelona is a complex designed by Rafael Moneo, and inaugurated in 1999. The modern building has colossal dimensions — a footprint of 42,000 square metres, with a total of 3,200 seats across three halls. The complex serves as the centre of an urban development that focuses on all aspects of musical life,including teaching, research, and exceptional concerts. Inside, a massive cubic glass light shaped as an impluvium, embellished with paintings by Pablo Palazuelo, catches the eye. The acoustics have been carefully designed by expert sound engineer Higini Arau. The Auditori complex is home to a variety of musical organisations, including the Museu de la Música, Orquestra Simfònica de Barcelona and the Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya.