gallery / balcony
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gallery / balcony
A raised, gallery-like platform or open upper level in a large room, especially in a church, theater, or concert hall.
Auf der Empore der Kirche befindet sich die große Orgel.
The large organ is located in the gallery of the church.
The word 'Empore' (gallery/balcony) is related to the German adverb 'empor', which means 'upward'. An 'Empore' is therefore literally a place that one climbs up to.
Der Chor versammelte sich auf der Empore.
The choir gathered in the gallery.
The position on a gallery is expressed with 'auf der Empore' (in/on the gallery, dative). Movement there is described with 'auf die Empore' (up to the gallery, accusative).
Die besten Plätze sind oben auf der Empore.
The best seats are upstairs in the gallery.
This word is found almost exclusively in descriptions of churches, theaters, concert halls, or other large, prestigious rooms.
Vom Parkett aus konnte man die Musiker auf der Empore kaum sehen.
From the stalls, you could barely see the musicians in the gallery.
An 'Empore' (gallery/balcony) is often associated with an organ ('die Orgel auf der Empore' — the organ in the gallery) or a choir ('der Chor auf der Empore' — the choir in the gallery), since these are often placed there.
Das Konzert begann mit einem Orgelstück von der Empore.
The concert began with an organ piece from the gallery.
rank
Rang primarily refers in a theater to the raised seating level where the audience seats are located. Empore, by contrast, emphasizes a gallery-like architectural platform or open upper level. Use Rang for the seating level, and Empore when the distinctive architectural form is important.
Für das Konzert haben wir Plätze auf der galerieartigen Empore bekommen.
We got seats in the gallery-like balcony for the concert.
Für das Konzert haben wir Plätze im ersten Rang bekommen.
We got seats in the first balcony for the concert.
