The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) is a British orchestra based in Birmingham, England. It is the resident orchestra at Symphony Hall, Birmingham in Birmingham, which has been its principal performance venue since 1991. Its administrative and rehearsal base is at the nearby CBSO Centre, where it also presents chamber concerts by members of the orchestra and guest performers.
The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Hall, Birmingham
The Birmingham Festival Orchestra performing at Birmingham Town Hall in 1845
Granville Bantock, whose 1919 proposal led to the foundation of the City of Birmingham Orchestra in 1920.
Appleby Matthews
Symphony Hall, Birmingham
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Symphony Hall is a 2,262 seat concert venue in Birmingham, England. It was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 12 June 1991, although it had been in use since 15 April 1991. It is home to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and hosts around 270 events a year. It was completed at a cost of £30 million. The hall's interior is modelled on the Musikverein in Vienna and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. The venue, managed alongside Town Hall, presents a programme of jazz, world, folk, rock, pop and classical concerts, organ recitals, spoken word, dance, comedy, educational and community performances, and is also used for conferences and business events as part of the International Convention Centre.
Symphony Hall platform, organ and movable acoustic canopy
Exterior of the Symphony Hall seen after refurbishment (September 2021)
Symphony Hall Interior