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The Griffioen Building | De Griffioenzaal |
Griffioen
The Building
The Student
Culture Department of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam has acquired a new
building with a fully equipped concert/drama hall. It is fit to house rehearsals
of the largest imaginable symphony orchestras (the VU
orchestra often boasts significantly more than 100 players!), or smaller
orchestras or choirs, or drama, or musical, or... Of course there is a
well-equipped lounge.
The official opening of the Building is with Mozart's opera Idomeneo
by the VU Chamber Orchestra and
the VU Chamber Choir.
The Griffioen Hall
Besides
being a rehearsal studio, the Griffioen Hall is a professionally equipped
theatre, with light and sound support, and a collapsible gallery that can
house up to 250 spectators.
Where does that name come from?
"Griffioen" is the Dutch word for Griffon (would you ever have guessed it). This fabled
animal is the symbol of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (it is said to
embody wisdom, strength, and more enviable qualities).