About the client
Klaipėda State Musical Theatre was established in 1987 after the reorganization of the former People’s Opera Theatre, which meant that it was given the entire building of the former Palace of Culture.
It is probably the largest professional performing arts institution in the region of Western Lithuania, organizing musical performances of various genres – operas, operettas, musicals, dance performances, performances, and educational programmes for children, symphonic, choral and chamber music concerts, theatrical and gala concerts. The building employs more than 200 staff: singers, musicians, ballet troupe, administration, and service staff.
INFES work
The plan is to increase the building’s floor space, create new, comfortable entrances for theatregoers and a car park, while also maintaining the unique architectural composition of the old post-war building.
A large theatre hall with a capacity of 700 people and a small theatre hall with a capacity of 200 people are being reconstructed. There will also be seating for visitors with reduced mobility. New rehearsal rooms and dressing rooms are also planned. A new part of the theatre is also under construction, which will be equipped with modern technological solutions to improve the acoustics. The theatre will have a lounge area and spaces for catering.
This project is unique because special attention has to be given to acoustics. Appropriate solutions are needed to ensure that different types of musical creations can sound perfectly in the same hall. Therefore, the main hall will be a complex 3D shape with special staircases and convexities. A special internal acoustic shell is also being produced for this hall: a unique shape with special requirements for weight and sound absorption or reflection. Also, the orchestra box will be movable and the hall will be equipped with chairs to meet the acoustic requirements.
Results
After implementing the project, the Klaipėda State Music Theatre will become the most modern professional art institution in the country, meeting the needs of artists. The new and renovated halls will have excellent acoustics, state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment, and modern heating and ventilation systems. Both visitors and staff will be able to enjoy a pleasant environment that combines history with modern architectural and engineering solutions. The renovated building will also blend organically into the Klaipėda cityscape.
