Die Glocke Bremen

Herbert von Karajan included Die Glocke among the top three concert halls in Europe. And Dame Margaret Price admired: “Glocke is the best hall for singers in the world!” The excellent acoustics of the concert hall ensured the Glocke's reputation as a first-class concert hall for decades. The unique Art Deco atmosphere of the halls and foyers gives the Glocke its special character, as does its convenient location on Domscheide, next to Bremen's historic market square.

Although it is not certain whether the concert hall was actually named after a bell that once hung on a small tower, it is certain that the Domštift, or Capitular, was built in the 9th century and was originally a monastery. Over time, it housed government agencies, and in 1869 it was converted into a concert hall and served as premises for the Union of Artists. After the concert hall of the Union of Artists fell victim to a severe fire in 1915, a new concert hall called “Die Glocke” was opened in 1928, where concerts took place until 1944. After the war, a club operated in the almost undamaged concert hall American army and cinema. After its official return, Die Glocke became the center of Bremen's social life, hosting events such as the "Eiswette" and the "Alpenfest". In addition, it continued to be an exclusive concert hall: In addition to world-class classical music, especially of the 20th century, performers such as Louis Armstrong, Oscar Peterson and the Swedish pop group ABBA performed here.

After almost seven decades, the Die Glocke house was in need of renovation, and in 1995-1997. it has been extensively renovated. The architects, Professor Gerhard Müller-Menkens and graduate engineer Klaus Rosenbusch, had the difficult task of combining the requirements of historical preservation with the requirements of a modern event venue. At the same time, it was possible to preserve most of the old building, as well as its famous excellent acoustics.

Since its opening on January 31, 1997, the traditional concert hall Die Glocke has successfully established itself both regionally and internationally. More than 300 events are held here each year, with a total of around a quarter of a million people attending, cementing Die Glocke's reputation as one of the most important cultural institutions in the entire North West. Since its opening, the concert hall has been managed by Glocke Veranstaltungs-GmbH, a subsidiary of the city's M3B GmbH. In addition to its function as a concert hall operator, Glocke Veranstaltungs-GmbH also acts as an organizer and places special emphasis on the program by holding its own events.