National Philharmonic "Serghei Lunchevici"

The building that today represents the National Philharmonic has been constructed in 1912 and was given into service in 1913 as a circus. More than two decades later, in 1940 the Philharmonic Institution was created, and the formerly circus base became so far the house of National Philharmonic. In 1960, under the guidance of the architect V. Voițehovski, the building was reconstructed. As a result of the reconstruction process, not only the interior but also the exterior of the building supported changes – the main entrance was decorated with an arch with six columns, conferring the building grandeur and solemnity. Numerous artistic masters and collectives were taken to the Philharmonic stages, such as: the Leningrad State Symphony Orchestra conducted by E. Mravinsky, the Romanian Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra under the baton of M. Basarab, the Academic Men's Choir of Estonia with the founder G. Ernesaks, the composers – D. Shostakovich, A. Haciaturean, T. Hrennikov, J. Frenkel, M. Fradkin; pianists – E. Gilels, S. Richter, H. Neuhaus, Ginzburg; violinists – D. Oistrah, L. Kogan, J. Sitkovetsky; cellists – M. Rostropovich and D. Shafran; interpreters – I. Arkhipova, E. Obraztsova and E. Nesterenko. In 2003, the Philharmonic was given the name of Serghei Lunchevici. At the end of September 2020 the National Philharmonic burned almost entirely, which started from the roof of an annex. The flames spread over an area of about 3,500 square meters. Almost five hours after the firefighters intervened, the fire was still not located. So far the building has still not been restored.