Salle Bourgie is an intimate concert hall in Montreal, Canada, set within the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. It occupies a former church, the Erskine and American United Church, which dates from 1894 and has been restored for its present use. For visitors who enjoy listening closely, the hall is a rewarding place to spend an evening.
What to expect inside
The hall is small, so the audience sits close to the performers and the sound carries clearly. It is known for its acoustics, which suit the programme it is built around. Much of what is presented here is classical music, and the hall is a natural setting for recitals and chamber concerts, where a few instruments or voices can fill the room without effort.
Why it suits a visit
- A concert in a converted church, with the architecture still part of the experience.
- A close, unhurried atmosphere, quite different from a large concert hall.
- A programme centred on classical music, recitals and chamber works.
- Its location inside an art museum, so a visit can be paired with a look at the collections.
Planning your trip
Because the hall is part of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, it makes sense to check the museum's schedule and the concert listings before you go, as performances vary from one season to the next. Montreal itself offers plenty to fill the rest of the day, from its museums and streets to its restaurants, so a concert here can be the centrepiece of a longer stay in the city.