De Montfort Hall
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De Montfort Hall is a music and performance venue in Leicester, England. It is situated near Victoria Park and is named after Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester.
The Hall was built by the Corporation of Leicester in the early 20th century, and was finished in 1913. It cost £21,000.
Its indoor auditorium seating capacity is approximately 2,000, and the hall contains a recently restored pipe organ believed to be the only surviving example of a large concert organ constructed by the Leicester organ builders, Stephen Taylor & Son Ltd. The organ is a particularly fine example, attracting many distinguished organists to play recitals.
Most of the Hall's events take place in the indoor auditorium where the programme of events ranges from jazz, ballet, comedy and opera to world and roots music, West End musicals and classical music featuring the world famous Philharmonia Orchestra which was set up by EMI and has been resident at the hall since 1997. The hall is said by the orchestra, to be one of the best spaces in which to play music in England.
Occasionally events take place outdoors, such as the popular performances of Shakespeare which take place in the hall's gardens, and the Summer Sundae music festival, which takes place every year.
Artists to have played the venue include Buddy Holly and the Crickets, The Beatles, Courtney Pine,The Flaming Lips, Natasha Beddingfield, The Clash, Elkie Brooks, Beniamino Gigli, Jools Holland, The Ramones Rickie Lee Jones, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Yo La Tengo, Nitin Sawhney, Thea Gilmore, Bonnie Raitt, Kate Rusby and James Taylor. Comedians to have performed include Jimmy Carr, Jack Dee, Mel and Sue and the Chuckle Brothers.
The Hall is also a common venue for the Leicester Philharmonic Choir, the Leicester Symphony Orchestra, the Bardi Symphony Orchestra and Bands which have performed several concerts there in the past. It is also one of the major venues in Leicester to hold the Hindu festival of Navratri, selling out of tickets every year.
Graduation ceremonies for the University of Leicester and De Montfort University take place in the hall.
