The State Hermitage Museum Informs about the Upcoming Madonna Concert on Palace Square

23 April, 2009 the State Hermitage Museum press-service spread the message:

Due to a big amount of questions about the upcoming concert of the singer Madonna on Palace Square the State Hermitage Museum informs.

The State Hermitage Museum continues to consider the loud mass pop music concerts on Palace Square inappropriate.

Along with that following the wish of a big part of the city residents and the politics of the city Administration the State Hermitage Museum considers it possible to agree upon no more than three such concerts per year. The obligatory condition of this agreement is a special contract to be signed between the organization conducting the concert and the Hermitage Museum where the following fundamental conditions are stated:

1. Maintaining the level of the sound pressure and vibration inside the State Hermitage Museum buildings adjusting to Palace Square during the period of rehearsals and the concert itself not higher than 80 decibel. The sound level is measured simultaneously by two companies;
2. Signing the liability before the third parties insurance contract for the time period of conduction of the concert;
3. Absence of any obstacles for the State Hermitage Museum visitors while entering or exiting the museum during the assemblage and dismantle of the concert equipment;
4. Using any equipment only outside the boundaries of the security zone of the State Hermitage Museum (three meters from the pavement borderline);
5. Rejection of the use of any pyrotechnic devices;
6. Signing a commutative civil law contract in case of commercial use of the images of the museum complex buildings or symbols and the official name of the museum for any advertisement company accompanying the conduct of the concert;
7. Observing the rules of Palace Square Regulations;
8. Guaranties that the performance of the singer Madonna during the concert on Palace Square will not contain elements insulting the traditional moral and religious feelings.

Such a contract is signed between the State Hermitage Museum and the  organizers of the concert of the singer Madonna and also the organizers of the concert on the occasion of conduct of the World Economic Forum in St. Petersburg.

During the last several years the State Hermitage Museum tries to keep the concert activity on Palace Square within the acceptable limits. Most of the State Hermitage Museum requirements are obvious and can be included into the city conditions for the agreement upon such concerts.

The State Hermitage Museum from its part demonstrates by its musical festivals what types of musical events are appropriate in the historical centre of our city.