The Festspielhaus Erl

Festspielhaus Erl - architecture meets acoustics
The Festspielhaus Erl is not only the venue of the Tyrolean Festival, but is itself an architectural and acoustic masterpiece

Free-standing walls made of Canadian acacia wood allow the architecture to resonate. The steeply rising grandstand, which offers an excellent view from every seat and is reminiscent of a Greek theater, seats 732 spectators. The acoustics are praised as one of the best in Europe, as the sound is completely transparent even with larger ensembles. Musicians from all over the world appreciate the acoustics and often choose the hall for recording sessions. When it opened, the orchestra pit was the largest of its kind in the world. The stage area is around 450 square meters in size and is constantly being expanded.

View of the hall - Festspielhaus Erl © Toni Rappersberger

The new home of the Tyrolean Festival Erl was designed by the Viennese architecture firm Delugan Meissl Architects. The striking black façade looks both bold and restrained next to the white Passion Play Theatre. The Festspielhaus respects the soaring form of the neighboring Passion Play Theatre and provides a contrasting horizontal impulse. At the same time, the striking forms of the festival hall are reminiscent of the thorns from the "Erler Dornenkrone", the village's emblem. The unique ensemble of the two houses is in wonderful dialog with nature and the seasons, and so the houses alternate in their visual prominence depending on the season.