A press conference was held in Harpa last Tuesday and present where Olafur Eliasson the designer of the glass facade, Osbjorn Jacobsen and Peer Jeppesen the main architects of the building as well as the Chairman of the Board for Portus, Mr. Petur J. Eiriksson. They explained the general ideas behind Harpa and its reference to Icelandic nature. They expressed their contentment how the ideas had evolved to the construction that is now taking form.

Among the issues at the conference it was announced that Mr. Vladimir Ashkenazy will be the first conductor to step onto the stage in Harpa to conduct the Icelandic Symphonic Orchestra on May 4^th 2011.

According to Mr Eiriksson Harpa’s main concert hall is already booked from the opening day until Christmas 2011.

The artist Mr. Ólafur Elíasson designer of the glass facade