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
'der Rang' and 'die Empore' can both mean a raised area with seats in a theater, concert hall, or church. 'Rang' is used especially for a level with seats for spectators, for example in a theater. 'Empore' more generally means a raised, open gallery in a large room, often also in a church. The words can be confused because you look down onto the room or stage from above. In the theater, people often say 'Rang'; in a church, 'Empore' sounds more natural.
Der Chor singt oben auf der Empore der Kirche.
The choir sings up in the gallery of the church.
Unsere Plätze im Theater sind im zweiten Rang.
Our seats in the theater are in the second balcony.