Casa da Música — Attraction in Porto

Imagine stepping into a realm where architecture and acoustics blend to create an unforgettable symphony of experiences. Welcome to Casa da Música, Porto's iconic concert hall that resonates with innovative design and stellar sound. Designed by the globally celebrated architect Rem Koolhaas, Casa da Música emerged from the city's ambitious endeavor to rejuvenate its urban heart. Its inception marked the dawn of a new era in Porto's cultural landscape when it opened its doors in 2005. From its conception in 2001 to its completion four years later, the project commanded a budget of €152 million, a testament to Porto's commitment to cultural elevation. Today, it proudly stands as the esteemed home of the acclaimed National Orchestra of Porto and the stage for world-renowned music luminaries like Sting, Robbie Williams, Björk, and Depeche Mode. Drawing over a million visitors annually, the building's allure transcends borders, earning it the prestigious "best cultural space" title at the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture Awards in 2009. But what makes Casa da Música genuinely remarkable? The answer lies in its groundbreaking architecture. A seamless fusion of a cubic concert hall and a curvaceous glass facade housing administrative and rehearsal areas, the building's silhouette is instantly recognizable. Clad in radiant white marble, the exterior reflects the sky's changing hues, making the concert hall a visual chameleon against Porto's cityscape. Within its walls, the magic unfolds. The main concert hall, capable of accommodating up to 1,500 guests, is a testament to the art of acoustic design. Ingeniously angled walls reflect sound towards the stage, ensuring pitch-perfect acoustics, regardless of where you're seated. Every note resonates, and every melody comes alive, transforming each performance into an immersive auditory feast. So, if your journey brings you to Porto, set aside time for a tour of Casa da Música. It's more than just a concert hall; it's an architectural marvel where every stone sings, and every corner echoes with Porto's vibrant cultural heartbeat. This remarkable building stands as a symphony in stone and sound – a melody that is as timeless as the...

Yesterday, I attended my first concert at Casa Da Musica and saw Sofia Ribeiro perform. Her voice was absolutely beautiful, and her band was amazing, playing their instruments with such skill and elegance. It was truly a high-quality concert, and I have no complaints about the performance itself.

However, I did encounter an issue with Casa Da Musica's seating. The chairs may look acceptable, but they are comparable to office chairs you might find at a bank. They provide little back support, reaching only halfway up your back, which makes sitting comfortably difficult unless you have great core muscles or are very short. Additionally, the chairs have no cushioning. After about an hour, my back and butt started to ache, forcing me to constantly switch positions and distracting me from fully enjoying the concert.

On the positive side, Casa Da Musica is conveniently located just a five-minute walk from the train station, making the commute very easy. There's also a cute mini park in the center of the roundabout nearby, adding a nice touch to the surroundings. If you arrive early, there's a café downstairs. Although I didn't get a chance to check it out myself, it seems like a nice option for a pre-concert snack or drink.

Editing my review. I returned to Casa Da Musica tonight to see pianist Mario Laginha. The concert room was much larger than the one from the previous night and featured cushioned chairs, which made me very happy. The concerts are consistently high quality, but the comfort of the chairs varies depending on which room the...

The famous building designed by Rem Koolhaas disappointed me when I went to a concert there. Unfortunately, the building is not as beautiful as it is portrayed in photographs; I thought it was a major architectural failure. There is no attention to detail, just a superficial mass.

The interior design lacks guidance on where to go upon entry... The coldness of metal in the corridors... The metallic elements on the stage that do not harmonize with the rest of the concert hall... There were so many things that caught my eye, I couldn't believe it. Let's say some of these are aesthetic preferences. The most glaring example you notice upon entering is whether there is a store area or not is unclear. You can only glance at the products from a distance. It's so impractical.

I especially invite Koolhass to spend five minutes in front of one of the toilets here. I saw two kids struggling to open that heavy and unnecessary toilet door! For example, a toilet door that someone needs to open for children, and one that people have to exert unnecessary force to open, is a great architectural failure in my opinion!

The use of the area around the building is also far from what is presented in the photographs. I would say the skateboarders make good use of it, but they also complain about the meaningless indentations! :)

I'll give it a slightly high rating because the staff were professional and courteous. Our concert experience was generally good. It's a place to go for the music, but don't expect much from...