The Zlín Philharmonic was visited by a third more listeners last year

Zlín - The Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic in Zlín saw a one-third increase in attendance last year. More than 40,000 listeners attended concerts. The management of the philharmonic attributes this mainly to new attractive spaces; the orchestra has been operating in the premises of the Congress Center since the beginning of last year. The program also attracted more listeners, said the philharmonic's director, Josef Němý, to reporters today.
    "In the first half of the year, we had many people come out of curiosity, which was to be expected given the new spaces. The positive thing is that in the autumn, the number of listeners increased further, and according to our surveys, they returned because of the program," he said.
    Last year, 40,566 listeners attended philharmonic concerts, with an average attendance of 617 people per concert. In the previous year, when the philharmonic was still based in the old premises of the House of Arts, a total of 29,205 people attended concerts, averaging 431 listeners per concert.
    "Some concerts were truly extraordinary events, for example the first concert last year with the Mexican tenor David Lomelí or especially the concert of the mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kožená," noted the director. Around ten concerts were completely sold out last year, with the concert of Kožená attracting the most listeners, with 905 attendees, while the hall has a capacity of 761 seats. Tickets for the concert were sold out within five days. As a result, the philharmonic added more seats to the hall, and for the first time, standing tickets were also sold.
    Philharmonic members praise the new spaces. A significant change is the improved acoustics of the halls. The spacious stage of the large hall allows for a large orchestral lineup, enabling works like Stravinsky's Rite of Spring to be performed in Zlín after a long time, Němý pointed out.
    Musicians also have better conditions in the backstage area. "While in the House of Arts we had three dressing rooms for an orchestra of up to ninety members, in the new spaces there are eight. We also have two rehearsal rooms and three dressing rooms for the conductor and soloists equipped with a piano and hygienic facilities, which Ms. Kožená also praised," the director stated.
    Last year was also economically favorable for the philharmonic, with finances ending in positive numbers. The philharmonic receives a subsidy of 20 million crowns from the city, and the regional office provides the same amount. "The total budget was about 55 million, and we are about 26 percent self-sufficient," Němý noted. According to him, the philharmonic managed to cover additional expenses beyond the budget for moving and additional outfitting of dressing rooms and offices from its own income.
    The philharmonic performed for 56 years in the premises of the House of Arts and moved to the Congress Center at the beginning of last year. The Congress Center was designed by architect Eva Jiříčná. The investment cost the city more than 600 million crowns. More than half of the costs were funded by the city from European funds. The Congress Center forms a joint complex with the neighboring University Center.