Große Konzerte (Grosse Concerte)

The Gewandhaus is situated on the Augustplatz site where the Museum of Fine Arts once displayed its treasures. The main foyer with its three levels is dominated by the colourfully vibrant ceiling painting "Song of Life" by the Leipzig based artist Sighard Gille. It is spread over four ceiling diagonals (with an area of 712 square metres) making it Europe’s largest ceiling painting. Illuminated by spotlights at night, it impressively radiates through the glass façade of the building to the square outside. The Great Hall with its amphitheatrically arranged seating provides seats for an audience of over 1,900 and is crowned by the majestic organ from the Schuke Company in Potsdam with its four manuals, 89 pipe registers, three registers for glockenspiel and cymbal bells and 6,638 pipes.