From Munich's most beautiful square to an open-air venue

Odeonsplatz is one of the most beautiful squares in Europe: 175 meters long, 50 meters wide, lined with crowd-pullers such as the Residenz, Feldherrnhalle, and Theatinerkirche. It was named in 1827 after a popular concert hall, the Odeon, which Ludwig I had built on the southwest side between 1826 and 1828. Since the millennium year 2000, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Munich Philharmonic have been inviting audiences to a two-day open-air event, Klassik am Odeonsplatz, which has now become a nationwide media event.
Due to the restoration of the Feldherrnhalle, 14,000 spectators (instead of 16,000 as before 2025) will currently experience the event in two sold-out concerts. A transparent arched stage measuring 22 m wide, 13 m deep, and 12.5 m high will be erected in front of the hall, which is currently covered in scaffolding. Three large screens will give the audience the feeling of being right in the middle of the concert action.

But how does an open space become an open-air concert venue and TV broadcast location for Klassik am Odeonsplatz? More than 80 people work almost around the clock for ten days to make this unique experience a reality, setting up loudspeakers and 7,000 chairs. 28,000 ears are treated to the best, but just as many eyes demand lasting visual impressions. That's why top-quality sound and lighting technology plays a crucial role in transforming Odeonsplatz into an open-air concert venue: 96 microphones, 162 speakers, 150 amplifiers, and a precisely tuned audio network with a total output of 150,000 watts guarantee visitors a perfect sound experience, even in the back row. The final touch to the sound is provided by a digital room acoustics solution called "Soundscape." It ensures an "immersive 3D listening experience."

Since its founding in 2000, more than 315,000 visitors have experienced the two top orchestras. Works by world-famous composers from Mozart to Tchaikovsky have been performed. Thanks to the unique location and moderate prices, the concerts reach a very wide audience. Not to mention numerous celebrities: around 700 VIP guests are welcomed each evening. The concerts are also a major media event and are now attracting nationwide attention through broadcasts on channels such as Das Erste, ZDF, BR Fernsehen, and 3sat.