Berlin Philharmonic back home after fire

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

BERLIN (AFP) — Simon Rattle conducted a rehearsal of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra on Tuesday for the first time since a large fire two weeks ago at the orchestra's home, a spokeswoman for the venue said.

Monday night also saw a concert by the Deutsches Symphonie Orchester Berlin, the first performance since the blaze at the Philharmonic in the centre of the German capital on May 20, spokeswoman Marie-Louise Schneider told AFP.

Around 150 firefighters fought for hours to put out a blaze that saw grey smoke billow from the iconic 1960s building's roof.

Several hundred concert-goers along with musicians clutching instruments were evacuated.

The Philharmonic's main auditorium, where the acoustics are considered among the best in the world, escaped...