Leipzig Gewandhaus forms the southern side of Augustusplatz. It is the third home of the Gewandhaus Orchestra. It was opened in the autumn of 1981 and has seating for 1890 people as well as a chamber music hall. Thanks to its excellent acoustics, the Gewandhaus orchestra as well as its conductors, the Gewandhaus has built up a very good reputation worldwide.
The history of the Gewandhaus Orchestra began in 1743 with the "Great Concert". At the time it consisted of 16 musicians and was financed by 16 citizens of Leipzig. The world-famous ensemble is also the Orchestra of the Leipzig Opera, it accompanies the cantatas at St Thomas's Church, and has already been on tour in four continents.
Most renowned among the chamber music ensembles of the Orchestra is the Gewandhaus Quartet. Founded in 1809, it is the oldest string quartet in the world.
