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Philharmonic Theater

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Cordinates

46° 28' 51" N, 30° 44' 28" E

Performers at the main entrance of the theater

The first-ever photograph of the interior of Philharmonic Hall, Odessa - February 7th, 1899
From www.odessaphilharmonic.org

Philharmonic theater (филармония)
Bunina 15 (Бунина)
http://www.odessaphilharmonic.org/
Tel: 25-69-03 (Cashier)
22-63-49
22-00-89

1 History
2 Construction
3 Roofed gallery
4 Inner chamber
5 The philharmonic
6 Courtyard
7 Photos
8 See also
9 Further reading
10 External links

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History

The foundation stone for this building was laid September 3rd, 1894, a day after Odessa's 100-year birthday. A world competition was announced for a conceptual design of a new Odessa stock exchange. The design of Viennese architect V.J. Prohaska was considered the best. But this design did not meet all of the requirements, therefore it was modified and improved by Alexander Bernardacci. Construction was completed in 1898.

The building was intended as the new stock exchange, to replace the old stock exchange (Which today is the Mayor's office). Since 1924 the building has housed the Odessa philharmonic.

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Construction

The architecture resembles the famous Doge Palace in Venice (Дворец Дожей) and other Renaissance palaces of Northern Italy, done in Venetian Gothic style. The building stands on a high concrete base designed to appear like granite. The stain glass windows are majestic at night. The front is decorated with terra cota tiles of different colors, and the huge windows with pieces of Carrara marble.

Doge Palace in Venice From mission.base.com

Doge Palace

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Roofed gallery

The domed roof is covered with tiling of different colors, which can be viewed from up the hill.

Interesting Sight

Along Bunina (Бунина) street is an open-sided, roofed gallery.

Its arch is decorated with frescoes, and on top of the columns at the side of the stairs are lighted globes.

The ceiling is painted like the heavens with the twelve symbols of the Zodiac.

A bust of Bernardacci, the architect of this building, stands in an alcove on the left-hand side. It was unveiled in 1900 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Bernardacci's career. The plaque states:

In commemoration of 50 years of architectural work of the architect and Trade Exchange builder Mr. Alexander Osipovich Bernardazzi

Ceiling of philharmonic gallery

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Inner chamber

"Agriculture"

"Industry"

"Trade"

Philharmonic Stage

Inside, the walls of the vast hall, 910 square meters and 15 meters high, reflect its original intention, decorated with six panels near the roof by the artist Nikiolai Karazin, depicting the history of commerce.

The panels over the doors, by the Italian/Florentine artist Giuseppe Cassioli (1865-1942) illustrate "Agriculture", "Industry", and "Trade".

In 1961 and again in early 2000, the building was restored. In 1961 a wide marble stairway added to the large hall with the hallway on the ground floor.

The theater can accommodate an audience of almost a thousand.

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The philharmonic

Poster advertising Philharmonic conductor Herbert Earl

Clinton and Herbert Earl at St. Michaels square in Kiev Ukraine
From odessaphilharmonic.org

Odessa's philharmonic is the best in Ukraine, playing around Europe and opening for President Clinton's visit in Kiev in the summer of 2000.

Since 1991, the American conductor Herbert Earl has become a household name among Odessites. He often plays to sold-out crowds. He regularly entertains the crowds by announcing songs with his poor grammar and broken Ukrainian.

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Courtyard

Next door, is an archway into a courtyard.

On the right side a sign stating the:

"Union of Theatre Workers of Ukraine Odessa House of Actors"

The club houses many small cultural gatherings and conferences. The central hall of the club has stained glass windows and an ancient Venetian chandelier.

At the beginning of this century, large groups of prostitutes gathered outside of the philharmonic. These girls dressed like average Odessa girls, with high-heels, a lot of cosmetics, and short skirts, a tourist would be hard pressed to distinguish the two. These prostitutes were pushed away and now work down near the port, at the base of the Port stairs.

Turret in Courtyard of philharmonic theater

Turret

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Photos

Odessa in the early 1900s

Philharmonic Theater ticket

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Inside

Sculpture inside of the philharmonic theater	Sculpture inside of the philharmonic theater	Statue	Ornate walls inside the theater
Philharmonic balcony	Philharmonic balcony	Stain glass windows	Stain glass windows
Stain glass windows	Painting on the stairway to the balcony	Ornate door into the theater

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Roofed gallery

Column in the roofed gallery		Monster on Column	Sculpture above doors on both sides of the stairway in philharmonic gallery
Door on both sides of the stairway in philharmonic gallery	Bust of Bernardacci in philharmonic gallery	Bernardacci	Inscription below Bernardacci bust
Stairway in philharmonic gallery

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Outside

Roof of the Philharmonic theater	Roof of the Philharmonic theater	Building face	Building face
Ticket office entrance	Building face from www.csey.de	Courtyard detail	Bunina and Pushkinskaya
Building on Bunina and Pushkinskaya