Music Art Hall

A view from the main entrance of the Music Art Hall.

The National Music Art Hall (Martino: Gran Sala Nacional de Arte Musical) is one of the principal concert venues in Cárdenas, the capital of Nouvelle Alexandrie. It is renowned for its eclectic programming and historic architecture, and has served as a cultural focal point for Cárdenas since its completion in 1688 AN. It remains a major destination for large-scale performances, classical recitals, and musical events. Its location on Plaza of Music places it at the very heart of the Culture District, in the geographic heart of the city.

History

Construction of the hall was part of the Cárdenas Plan, specifically the layout of the Plaza de La Música, as part of a broader initiative to establish a permanent, purpose-built national home for musical performances and theatre. The original structure combined elements of neoclassical architecture - such as Corinthian columns and Romanesque arches - with more local stylistic touches, most notably the carved pediment. The interior had mostly oak seating and flooring, with velvet upholstery, and marble in the foyer. It was completed in 1688 AN, and quickly became the city's principal venue for operas, music concerts, and theatrical performances.

In 1734 AN, the Hall underwnet a major extension and modernization program to accommodate growing audiences and the evolving technical demands of large productions. This included enlarging the stagehouse; improving backstage facilities; and expanding the public foyers, along with new acoustical treatments inspired by contemporary advances in theatre architecture.

Layout

The Hall comprises three principal performance spaces housed within a single unified complex. The Main Hall is the largest and most prominent chamber: it is a horseshoe-shaped hall with the greatest seating capacity, complete with a proscenium stage capable of supporting full orchestras and staged works. Adjoining the main hall is the Blue Hall, an acoustically refined, mid-sized auditorium historically favored for classical and chamber music; its intimate rake and adjustable panels allow for a warm, direct sound suited to strings and smaller ensembles. The smallest venue, the Royal Hall, is a richly appointed salon intended for private concerts, patron receptions, and invitation-only performances. Its small scale and sighlines make it ideal for small ensembles and private ceremonies.

Service areas include a central foyer linked to the three halls, rehearsal rooms, and dedicated dressing and technical spaces used for backstage services, which were largely expanded in 1734 AN. There is a small restaurant adjacent to the Royal Hall, with dedicated pre-show, intermission, and post-show services.

Use

Every year, over 900 concerts and theatrical performances take place in the Hall, with a annual visitors rate of over 1.4 million. These include major annual performances, such as the annual New Year's Concert and the Culture Month Concerts. The Music Hall also has an associated Symphony orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, which was formed in 1698 AN. The Orchestra has a direct patron in King Sinchi Roca II, with each King having served as patron since 1700 AN.

Over its long history, the Hall has presented a wide range of artists across popular and classical genres. Notable include celebrated country singer Judith Nirillos, whose arena-style performances drew an international audience; Andres Mena, a widely followed singer-songwriter associated with contemporary country and roots music; and pop superstar Vanesa Briones, whose headline concerts at the Main Hall marked major commercial milestones and broadened the venue's popular appeal. On the classical side, the Hall hosted Mauriz Agadoz, regarded as one of Nouvelle Alexandrie's foremost tenors, in several acclaimed recital and operatic engagements. The brother-sisted duo Algons and Bernadetta Urriaz, known for their R&B collaborations, have given critically noted concerts. These and other high-profile performances have cemented the Hall as the most notable musical venue in Cárdenas, and in Nouvelle Alexandrie beyond that.

Technical specifications

• Exterior Area: 3,456 m² (37,200 sq ft)
  • Footbrint: 72 x 48 m (236 x 157 ft)
  • Cornice Height: 28 m (92 ft)
  • Volume: 96,800 m³ (3.4 million cu ft)
• Main Hall Area: 1,440 m² (15,500 sq ft)
  • Footprint: 36 x 40 m (118 x 131 ft)
  • Ceiling Height: 22 m (73 ft)
  • Volume: 25,900 m³ (915,300 cu ft)
  • Seating capacity: 2,048 seats
  • Proscenium opening: 18 x 12 m (59 x 39 ft)
  • Stage depth: 16 m (52 ft)
  • Orchestra pit width = 10-12 m (33-39 ft, fits ~70-90 players)
• Blue Hall Area: 600 m2 (6,460 ft)
  • Footprint: 30 x 20 m (98 x 65 ft)
  • Ceiling height: 10 m (33 ft)
  • Volume: 6,000 m³ (212,000 cu ft)
  • Seating capacity: 650 seats
• Royal Hall: 120 m² (1,300 sq ft)
  • Footprint: 12 x 10 m (39 x 33 ft)
  • Ceiling height: 6 m (20 ft)
  • Volume: 720 m³ (25,500 cu ft)
  • Seating capacity: 120 seats
• Backstage: 1,400 m² (15,000 cu ft)
  • 3 rehearsal studios of 100 m² (1,100 sq ft)
  • 12 dressing rooms of 20 m² (215 sq ft) + star suite of 40 m2 (430 sq ft)
• Restaurant: 800 m2 (8,600 sq ft)
  • Footprint: 40 x 40 m (130 x 130 sq ft)
  • Ceiling height: 10 m ( 33 ft)
  • Volume: 8,000 m3 (169,000 cu ft)
  • Seating capacity: 250 seats
• Acoustics
  • Design intent
    • Main Hall: 2.0 s (empty); 1.7 s with full audience
    • Blue Hall: 1.9 s (empty); 1.6 s with audience
    • Royal Hall: 1.4 s
  • Acoustic features: Adjustable reflective panels, overhead canopy/reflector in the Main Hall, deployable banners/curtains to tune reverberation, variable shell panels in the Blue Hall.