Possibly the most magical acoustic in the world fo...

Possibly the most magical acoustic in the world for chamber music.

On the plus side, the performer can make the tiniest sound and the dome behind the stage will amplify it, caress it with golden reverb, and send it out to every corner of the hall.

On the down side, the acoustic is a bit 'alive' - some funny things go on in that dome above the stage. Where the performer sits on the stage can make a big difference. Also, it seems to affect different instruments very differently, to the extent that it can sound like a clarinet is actually in a different space to the cello which again is in a different space to the piano.

For me, these quirks make the space all the more alluring.

(Why don't concert hall designers today realise that domes behind the stage can be a very good idea?)