Thalia Hall is the concert home of the Sibiu State Philharmonic, housed in the city's historic theatre within the Thick Tower of its former fortifications. Martin Hochmeister began the theatre project in 1787, and performances started in June 1788. The building suffered fires in 1826 and 1949. Reconstruction undertaken from 1990 was completed in May 2004, when the restored hall opened with a concert on 29 May. Its historic auditorium, with two balcony levels, subsequently became the principal setting for the philharmonic's concerts.