Finished the classic at the salle Pleyel, place to Biolay and Bruel – The Express

black Suit, black shirt, Benjamin Biolay has inaugurated Friday evening the new salle Pleyel in singing, Palermo Hollywood, the title track of his new album. The temple of parisian classic has re-opened its doors after a year and a half of closure. Finished in the classic room, the room is now devoted to contemporary music. In addition to artists from a variety of French, the salle Pleyel will host dance performances and comedy clubs. After Benjamin Biolay, will follow as Bernard Lavilliers (7 October) and Patrick Bruel (from 14 to 16 October). A registry change that is not to the liking of all. Aficionados of the classic have initiated legal action.

Change of scenery and to register

Behind the art deco façade of the building and lobby, renovated but loyal to the spirit of the original, the new great hall has completely changed its appearance after a year and a half of work: decoration with white and red, the famous frigid, has given place to the dark wood and warm lights. The development of a pit to also increase the maximum capacity from 1900 to 2500 spectators. The mythical concert hall, which has long been operated by the City of music, has been closed at the beginning of 2015 at the opening of the Philharmonie. Its operation has been entrusted to a 15-year-old financier Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière, at the head of Fimalac, which owns including the rating agency Fitch.

“You kill the very nature of the room”

The transformation involved is grinding the teeth of the defenders of the classic. In effect, the concert hall has undergone significant work of sound system, including the installation of absorbers to reduce the reverberation of sound rocks: a sacrilege to the purists, who have initiated legal proceedings to make in setting its destination first. “The salle Pleyel is being distorted, because historically and culturally it is part of the heritage,” said master Olivier Pardo, who defends the association “For the classic Pleyel”, under the leadership of the former director general of the room, Carla Tarditi. In the viewfinder of the association: the work done in the room which include “to put an acoustic prohibiting the classical music”. “You kill the very nature of the room,” said the lawyer.

A decision of the tribunal de commerce of Paris must be returned by 30 September. In the meantime, more than 11,000 people have signed a petition demanding the return of the classical music at the Salle Pleyel, according to the association.