It is a real treat to have an organization like the RPO and such talent here. I like that they have a variety of performances, pops as well as classical. I do like that they have a series of performances just for young children. read more

We Attended the 2023-24 Centennial Season finale at the beautiful Kodak Hall. Unfortunately the evening started out a little shaky as we were subjected to an RPO Centennial commissioned World Premier piece by Derrick Skye. It reminded me of my youth when stoners used to play albums (vinyl) backwards to get some dark satanic message. They never did get any messages and we didn't get any here either for the lyrics that went along with To Seek Is Jubilance, made no sense at all. I only clapped (without enthusiasm) because the 24 minute piece was over. There were 3 or 4 enlightened folks that gave a standing ovation but the majority of the packed house was not impressed with the composition that lacked complexity. Fortunately after a quick break we were treated to Beethoven's Symphony No. 9. It was truly an ode to joy as the RPO was at its best. read more

Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra - RPO Program - Music Venues Near Me - Rochester, New York

Amazing Hall. Amazing Orchestra. Rochester is blessed to have such talent that provides us with an amazing Symphony. Attended my first concert with the performance of Mahler 2nd. Subscribed for next season immediately! read more

The opening of 2014-2015 season. The new conductor Ward Stare is a slim young man, but big on the podium. The concert started with The Star Spangled Banner which the maestro conducting us as a formidable choir. We followed his direction to perfection. The next piece was Berlioz Overture to Beatrice and Benedict, a galloping piece. The soloist to this occasion was another petite giant, Midori. I've seen her since her debut. She started the Brahms Violin Concerto in D Major, OP 77 like a little Samurai. She doesn't have a big sound, and by the tone of her violin I'm almost certain she plays a Guarnerious instrument. Her cadenza in the first movement was breathtaking. The last piece of the program to my surprised was Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4 in F Minor, Op. 36. The pizzicato was delightful. Sleeping Beauty here & there. A night of 3 tormented men. read more

Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra - Midori & RPO - Music Venues Near Me - Rochester, New York

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If you have not been to an RPO performance, now's the time, my friends. My boyfriend got tickets for us to attend the recent performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5, "Emperor" featuring Olga Kern on the piano with the symphony. It was mesmerizing. Not only is Kodak Hall absolutely stunning, but the symphony is top notch. I loved hearing from the conductor about the composition of the 2nd performance after intermission. He shared inspiration and different versions of the piece with momentary mini features from a couple different instruments/sections of the symphony to show how a mood can be conveyed in a variety of ways depending on how it's composed. Really eye opening and beautiful to hear that as someone whose last experience with musical instruments was concert band in 7th grade. Standing ovations all around. No matter where you are, the view is great and the sound is impeccable. We can't wait to go back again. read more

Paid for tickets to what was advertised as "The Music of Harry Potter" but in reality they only played two songs from the films and the rest of the performance had nothing at all to do with the Harry Potter films. False advertising/bait-and-switch whatever you want to call it, it was blatantly dishonest and a waste of our time. Will not trust anything that they say from now on. read more

Applause, Applause! My husband took me out on a date last Friday night. We went to the RPO and enjoyed a concert from their Pops series. It was Classic Bond - musical numbers from almost all of the James Bond movies. I was in my element (being a former band geek and all) and my husband enjoyed it too. It's been a while since I've been to Kodak Hall at the Eastman Theater, and I have to say it was such a treat. The renovations in the foyer/entry way were so nice, and the theater itself is looking stunning in all of its 1920's glory. We had balcony seats, and enjoyed being able to really see all of the intricate detail in the architecture. The RPO itself was impeccable. The guest conductor was a hoot, the performers were wonderful. It is so nice to live in a town with a cultural and historical gem such as the Eastman Theater - and we're blessed with top-notch musicians. I can't wait to go back. Oh, and one other thing - why don't people dress up for these sorts of things anymore? I felt a little odd being so dressed up for a concert, when others were there in jeans. read more

The Christmas and family concert events are truly magical. Music is obviously the central theme but they go all out with favors, costumed characters and decorations. Even the youngest child would be absolutely captivated from start to finish. I love any event at Eastman Theatre. I have been fortunate to attend most of the Family events as an event photographer but always made sure to bring my little one along! Deni Says: Enjoyable for all. MUST. read more

The RPO is one of this community's great institutions that we don't take advantage of as often as we should. Lately we have been going to a Pop's concert once per season which always reminds us that we should attend more frequently. For a city of this size we are lucky to have such top-notch performers playing in a great hall like the Eastman. Last week we attended a fabulous concert that was a joint venture between the RPO and the Rochester Ballet Company - it was a really creative experience. Bravo! read more

We are so lucky to have an orchestra of this caliber in Rochester. We've been to orchestras in much bigger cities that don't match the quality of our RPO. Take advantage of it, folks! Tip: avoid the $6/ticket fee for purchasing online or over the phone by buying in person at their box office on East Ave. read more

Until moving to Rochester, we didn't realize the RPO is one of *the* most outstanding philharmonic orchestras. We attended many RPO concerts and they were all terrific. Also, the Eastman Theater is *gorgeous* and it has a huge number of seats. read more

Although long-time members were sad to see Christopher Seaman go (some of us still miss David Zinnman), Arild Remmereit shows tremendous promise to be a music director for many years to come. The orchestra has always been top-notch (with the Eastman School associated with it, how could it not?), and the recent remodelling of the theater has improved the sound, as well as the seats. So, what's still lacking? Yes, as another poster mentioned, their boiler-room fundraising is crass, and has probably cost them members (god knows, we refuse to get season tickets after our previous experiences with telemarketers calling us over and over and over), but my biggest beef is that they never start the concert on time! If you arrive at the Met late for a performance, you get to wait in the lobby, watching the performance on TV, until the first scene ends. They should do the same at the RPO, rather than holding the start of the performance for 15, even 20 minutes (??!!) because a bunch of lazy 'burbanites couldn't get their lard-butts down to the theater on time! Another beef is with the audience. Are ALL rochesterians turning into mouth-breathing morons and slobs? Can't people wear something better than worn-out jeans and t-shirts to the concert? And don't they have enough sense to know that you can't bring food and drinks into the hall? Sheesh!! read more

I love the RPO. Luckily I'm frequently on the end of complimentary tickets, but even if I wasn't, I'd still go. Unfortunately, the RPO has been the center of negative press with the tumultuous departure of the most recent conductor Remmereit and feuding between longtime supporters and the board. I think it's safe to say that what's happening here is a microcosm of the difficulties that orchestras and symphonies are experiencing nationally. It's hard to fund a musical body like the RPO. It's hard to sustain benefactors and donors and to keep ticket sales flowing when the economy is pinching. And further, let's face it, classical music doesn't seem to appeal to young adults. It's something that takes time and effort to appreciate. I often wander through the Eastman Theatre during intermission, dodging one gray head and another, and wonder why you have to be over age 60 to "get it." Going to the RPO is an amazing experience. You can get last-minute tickets the day of the performance for $20. Choose an accessible symphony with a dynamite soloist and bask in the re-creation of history. All those musicians. Playing together. All those people. In one room. Listening together. It's a unique, thrilling, communal and sacred moment. These are the moments that defined history in all small and large towns all over Europe. Supporting an organization like the RPO isn't just about being cultured. It's about perpetuating an art form that has formed the backdrop of world history and given birth to some of the most astonishing creative geniuses mankind has seen. It takes time to appreciate, but it's worth it. It's not going to be a Chicago Symphony or Berlin Philharmonic, but it's a talented bunch of hardworking musicians who are sure to wow you if you give them a chance. read more

Correcting my reviews. Apologies to the RPO for my reviews for Ned Rorem's "Our Town". It was not part of the RPO. It was the Eastman Opera Theatre. I only remember good performance from the RPO. read more

We are so lucky to have such a beautiful gem in Rochester. Such talented musicians in such a beautiful space

in 1943, a 24 year old recent graduate of the curtis institute of music applied to be the director of the rpo, but despite his talent, this young man was denied the position because he was deemed too young to direct an "important orchestra." later that year, that young man became assistant director of the new york philharmonic (which had no problem with his age). his name was leonard bernstein. in some sense, the rpo has never been able to live down it's notorious rejection of bernstein, and has remained an excellent albeit second-tier orchestra with a bit of a chip on the shoulder. nonetheless, the rpo is largely responsible for the flourishing arts/music scene in rochester, and i've never been to a performance of theirs that i didn't enjoy! read more

A community treasure and a top tier orchestra. The arts in Rochester are above and beyond the size of the area. RPO is perhaps the class of them all. read more

I would like to follow-up with an additional 1-star review to mention that I am still receiving calls more than a year after my last scathing review. read more

The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestras sounds as good as orchestras in much larger cities. Their performance of Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique was incredible. They have a very full sound. Additionally, Music Director Ward Stare is enthusiastic in his conducting, adding additional energy to the performances. read more

We had such a wonderful time at the Holiday Pops concert! The Orchestra was amazing, the children's choir was so adorable and the high schoolers were really impressive. It was a fun two hours of Christmas music and I can't wait to go again next year! read more