Tonhalle, Dusseldorf

Tonhalle Dusseldorf stands as a striking example of adaptive architecture along the Rhine, originally built in 1926 by Wilhelm Kreis for the GeSoLei exhibition as one of the world’s first planetariums. This iconic, dome-shaped building was envisioned to transport visitors across the vast distances of the solar system. However, by the 1970s, the structure was repurposed as a concert hall, marking a pivotal moment in Dusseldorf’s cultural evolution.

Today, the Tonhalle is home to the Dusseldorfer Symphoniker and hosts over 350 concerts annually, attracting more than 300,000 spectators. Known as the "Music Planetarium," it’s a vibrant space where audiences can experience everything from symphonic masterpieces to jazz, chanson, and cabaret, all under a mesmerizing dome outfitted with innovative lighting that recreates a starry sky.

In 2005, the hall underwent a modernization, shifting to a contemporary metal blue palette and enhanced acoustic architecture, perfecting the sound for its nearly 1,854-seat main hall. Alongside it are intimate spaces like the music chamber, the rotund foyer, and the historic “Grunes Gewolbe” with the Helmut-Hentrich glass collection, offering a range of settings for various events. Each year, the Tonhalle continues to be a celebrated venue where tradition and innovation converge, allowing audiences to enjoy stellar performances under its dazzling "celestial" ceiling.