Barbican Centre
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| Address |
Silk Street London, EC2 United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 51°31′13″N 0°05′42″W / 51.5202°N 0.0950°W |
| Public transit |
 Barbican Moorgate
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| Owner | City of London Corporation |
| Designation | Grade II |
| Type | Performing Arts centre |
| Capacity |
Barbican Hall: 1,943 Barbican Theatre: 1,156 The Pit: 200 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1982 |
| Architect | Chamberlin, Powell and Bon |
| Website | |
| www |
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The Barbican Centre is a performing arts centre in the City of London and the largest of its kind in Europe. The Centre hosts classical and contemporary music concerts, theatre performances, film screenings and art exhibitions. It also houses a library, three restaurants, and a conservatory. The Barbican Centre is member of the Global Cultural Districts Network.
The London Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Orchestra are based in the Centre's Concert Hall. In 2013, it once again became the London-based venue of the Royal Shakespeare Company following the company's departure in 2001.
The Barbican Centre is owned, funded, and managed by the City of London Corporation, the third-largest arts funder in the United Kingdom. It was built as The City's gift to the nation at a cost of £161 million (equivalent to £480 million in 2014) and was officially opened to the public by Queen Elizabeth II on 3 March 1982. The Barbican Centre is also known for its brutalist architecture.
The second-floor library is one of the five City of London libraries. It is one of the largest public libraries in London and has a separate arts library, a large music library and a children's library which regularly conducts free events. The Barbican Library houses the 'London Collection' of historical books and resources, some of which date back 300 years, all being available on loan. The library presents regular literary events and has an art exhibition space for hire. The music library has two free practice pianos for public use.
The Barbican Centre had a long development period, only opening long after the surrounding Barbican Estate housing complex had been built. It is situated in an area which was badly bombed during World War II.
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Wikipedia