De Montfort Hall, Leicester

De Montfort Hall is Leicester’s largest and most prestigious music and performance venue, standing proudly beside Victoria Park. Named after Simon de Montfort, the 6th Earl of Leicester and a key figure in England’s parliamentary history, the hall has been a cultural landmark since its grand opening on 21 July 1913.

Designed by Shirley Harrison, whose architectural portfolio also includes Edinburgh’s Usher Hall, De Montfort Hall boasts an indoor auditorium with a seating capacity of approximately 2,000. One of its crowning features is its remarkable pipe organ, installed in 1914 and built by local organ makers Stephen Taylor & Son. With 6,000 pipes, it is considered the only surviving example of its kind and was estimated to be worth over £5 million in 2014. This instrument continues to draw renowned organists for special recitals.

The hall has played host to an array of performances, ranging from classical concerts to rock, comedy, opera, ballet, and musicals. It has been home to the Leicester Symphony Orchestra since 1922, founded by the legendary Sir Malcolm Sargent, and regularly features performances by the Leicester Philharmonic Choir, the Bardi Symphony Orchestra, and the Philharmonia Orchestra, which has had a residency at the venue since 1997. Each year, the hall hosts a popular pantomime and Leicester’s largest Navratri celebrations.

Beyond its indoor performances, the hall’s picturesque gardens have been a setting for open-air festivals such as The Big Session Festival and Summer Sundae, both of which ran until 2012. The venue has also hosted fundraising events, including a 2011 tribute to Sir Norman Wisdom, benefiting charitable causes and featuring personalities like Rick Wakeman and Nicholas Parsons.

With its rich heritage, architectural charm, and a diverse lineup of performances, De Montfort Hall remains a pillar of Leicester’s cultural life, continuing to delight audiences over a century after its inception.