Berlin - Berlin's Philharmonic Orchestra is to perform in a hangar at the city's landmark Tempelhof Airport this week after a fire damaged its concert hall. Conductor Sir Simon Rattle will lead the concerts from Thursday to Saturday in Hangar 2 at the urban airport, which is set for closure after a last-minute referendum could not attract a quorum of voters in its favour.
Police said Monday that fire investigators had confirmed that an error during welding work was the cause of the fire in the roof of the Philharmonie last Tuesday. Whether someone will be charged or sued has yet to be decided.
The fire spread through the roof's insulation layer but was put out before it could damage the ceiling of the main concert chamber. An orchestra spokesman said it was hoped concerts could resume on June 2 with a makeshift roof covering the damage.
