Tonhalle Düsseldorf
Photo: Sussane Diesner
Bringing the “Planetarium of Music” to Life with Amadeus
Perched on the banks of the Rhine, the Tonhalle Düsseldorf has been delighting audiences for almost a century. Originally built in 1926 as a planetarium, it has long since transformed into one of Germany’s most beautiful concert halls, a place where music meets architectural wonder. Its iconic blue dome, now fitted with LEDs and a sophisticated lighting concept, creates a visual spectacle reminiscent of a starry sky, while its rich history as the home of the Düsseldorf Symphony Orchestra makes it a true “planetarium of music”.
But even a hall with such prestige and beauty faced challenges. In 2005, an electronic reverberation system was installed to optimise the hall’s acoustics for a wide range of performances. Over time, however, technical issues began to compromise its performance. The Tonhalle needed an upgrade, one that would respect its unique architecture while enhancing its sound for every type of concert, from intimate vocal recitals to full orchestral works.
Photo: Anne Schaefer
Transforming the TONHALLE
Enter Amadeus Acoustics. Following extensive listening tests and demonstrations, Peutz Consult, the acoustic planners who had also worked on the original system, were convinced of Amadeus Acoustics’ capabilities. In parallel, Jürgen Meyer of Kottke Bühnenplanung GmbH reworked the existing electroacoustic infrastructure, redesigning the system based on the hall’s current inventory and developing the technical specifications for the tender.
After a competitive process, Thomann GmbH commissioned Amadeus Acoustics to deliver a solution that would bring the hall’s acoustics into the 21st century. The challenge was significant. The Tonhalle’s dome and curved side walls, remnants of its planetarium past, make sound reflections unpredictable. To achieve a listening experience comparable to a more conventional music hall, the team had to carefully control early reflections while preserving the hall’s character and warmth.
THE SOLUTION
The solution combined cutting-edge technology with thoughtful design:
Active Acoustics tailored to each type of performance.
Immersive Sound with Virtual Sources for 5.1/7.1 surround applications.
Voice Lift to optimise speech and vocal clarity.
The system upgrade was built on Amadeus Acoustics’ ART platform, powered by the ART:Hub2 hardware and utilising the ART::AP (Active Acoustics Performance) module. Modular and scalable, Amadeus ART is a versatile multi-channel audio platform enabling dynamic active acoustics management, immersive sound applications, and voice lift. As a comprehensive ecosystem of hardware, software, services, and content, it integrates perfectly with third-party systems and the hall’s existing inventory. This included new power amplifiers and microphone preamplifiers, while retaining the Tonhalle’s existing stock of 64 microphones and 96 loudspeakers, with replacements installed only where necessary. With the ART Performance package , the premium configuration for larger venues, the system delivers the precision, flexibility, and immersive quality required for a world-class concert hall.
Specially designed presets allow the Tonhalle to adapt to different performance needs:
Probe: Perfect for rehearsals, maintaining transparency even in complex passages.
Orchestra: Balanced concert acoustics, supporting both solo passages and large orchestral works.
Chor: Warm and full, ideal for vocal and romantic music, polyphonic structures, or organ pieces.
Sakral: Monumental reverberation for sacred music or ceremonial performances.
3D Audio without Active Acoustics: For immersive experiences that let the hall’s natural acoustics shine.
COLLABORATION WAS AT THE HEART OF THE PLANETARIUM
Throughout the project, collaboration was key. Peutz Consult’s Klaus-Hendrik Lorenz-Kierakiewitz and Martijn Vercammen, deeply involved in both the original 2005 planning and this renovation, worked closely with Amadeus Acoustics and Thomann GmbH. The result exceeded expectations: a significant improvement over the old system that has transformed the hall’s acoustic landscape.
Now, every concert at the Tonhalle, from classical symphonies to jazz, pop, and beyond, benefits from precise, rich, and flexible acoustics. Audiences experience clarity, depth, and warmth in every note, while musicians enjoy the ability to hear and respond to each other with unparalleled precision. The Tonhalle is, once again, a true “planetarium of music,” where technology and artistry meet.
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