Austrian officials inaugurate new concert house

The Associated Press, Tuesday, November 20, 2012, 9:09am (PST)

VIENNA (AP) — Officials in the Austrian town of Erl have inaugurated a futuristic concert house that will house the country's newest music festival.

Officials for Erl's Winter Music Festival say the new house boasts the world's largest orchestra pit at 160 square meters, or more than 1,700 square feet.

They say construction costs amounted to €36 million — nearly $46 million.

Built by Delugan Meissl Associated Architects in Vienna, the building — which has been described as resembling a stealth bomber or a UFO— was erected in 18 months.

Erl already has a summer music festival. But the new building will also be home to a winter festival that takes place for the first time from Dec. 26 through Jan. 6.

Organizers said Tuesday it was 90-percent sold out.