After almost forty years you can enter again through the classical main entrance of the Concertgebouw, on Museumplein. Outgoing State Secretary Gunay Uslu (Culture) held the festive opening today.
After the Secretary of State opened the entrance by cutting a ribbon, three trumpeters stepped out to play Benjamin’s Britten’s Fanfare for St Edmundsbury. Afterwards, visitors could enter the building, where free concerts are given until 6 p.m.
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The old main entrance was inaccessible for so long, because in 1983 it turned out that the building was sinking. Part of the renovation plan was a new glass entrance on the south side of the building. In 1988, that entrance was officially taken into use as the main entrance. From that moment on, the old main entrance on Van Baerlestraat was only used as an emergency exit. The space directly behind the entrance served as a ‘bar area’.
For years afterwards, the Concertgebouw has wanted to be directly connected to the Museumplein again. But before that happens, a lot still needs to be done on the inside. That is now completed. If you visit a concert after today, you will see on your ticket which entrance you should have.