The Seattle Symphony is amazing! I'm not a musician, but I played clarinet in the school band for several years (lol), so I can definitely appreciate the skill and dedication it takes to perform at this level. They offer traditional classical concerts featuring composers like Mozart, Gershwin, and Mahler, but they also do a great job incorporating more modern programming. For example, they frequently show popular films such as Raiders of the Lost Ark and How to Train Your Dragon, with the symphony performing the soundtrack live. They also host a variety of Christmas-themed concerts, which are always a lot of fun. Their website is easy to use, and I usually just browse events there. You can purchase tickets online or call the box office, and it's very straightforward to select seats and complete your purchase. Benaroya Hall is easy to access, with several nearby public transit options. There's also a large parking garage available (prepaid only). I've always felt safe attending events there, even though it's located downtown. There are several quick-service food options in the outer lobby area. Once your ticket is scanned, you'll find multiple stands offering drinks and light snacks. The restrooms are consistently clean, and the lines are usually manageable. My husband and I always have a great time at the Seattle Symphony. The environment is very family-friendly, and the ushers are helpful, whether giving directions or offering to take photos. I've also found fellow concertgoers to be friendly and welcoming. I would definitely recommend it to others. read more

Attended for the first time last night. It was a wonderful new years celebration. The talent of the musicians was limitless and it was an evening of fun and celebrations. We sat in the center, row D. Our seats were perfect. The seats were large and comfortable. Plenty of leg room for tall me. The sound was perfect. The theatre was very clean. The bathrooms were also clean and in good working order. Staff were equally helpful and service minded. The bar staff were pleasant and filling orders quickly. It was a great night for a little under $200. Well worth it! It was so easy to get there to and from lower First Hill. See website for programming. read more

We've been subscribers for a few years now and I'm finally writing a review. Not because we haven't loved the majority of the performances but maybe because I took it for granted. Today though, we had a problem with our seats (which hasn't happened in five years) and asked an usher if we could be moved. They reached out to the house manager who was able to move us, quietly and efficiently. No drama, no argument, just quickly and seamlessly. So glad we didn't leave because today's Four Seasons was beyond, just a moving, spectacular performance by Helen Kim. We also adore the new conductor, Sunny Xia, she's a firecracker. read more

We've been to the Seattle Symphony a few times now, and we always have a great experience! The location is really convenient, with a bus stop right outside. They have a small cafe serving food before the concert. The auditorium is beautiful, and they offer a great music program. The prices are also quite friendly compared to other major classical music venues. We especially appreciate that they offer free coffee and tea during intermission. The staff members are also very helpful, whether you need them to point out seat locations or answer any questions. read more

I've been going to the Seattle Symphony Holiday Pops for the past 7 years. I have to say that this was one of the most lackluster performances and it showed by the number in attendance. I know there's always change when it comes to a holiday program, but the show always always always ended with Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson. I so missed that the past two years. Also, when the orchestra left the stage for intermission, no one seemed to know what was going on so we finally got the cue that it was break time. Also, there was no encor when the conductor came back to the stage. The sing-along was great when the orchestra performed seven or eight Christmas tunes but again, it was just sort of a meh performance. Nothing at all against the symphony but you need to do something to bring back the more traditional crowd. read more

Seattle Symphony - Performing Arts Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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"Where words fail, music speaks" - Hans Christian Andersen. The Seattle Symphony performs beautiful classical and pops programs year in, year out - have enjoyed dozens of concerts at the Symphony over the past decade, ranging from symphonies to concertos, chorale, Holiday Pops and movie scores. Some of my personal favorites include Tchaikovsky symphonies, Baroque and Wine, Handel Messiah, Holiday Pops, and movie scores. Always enjoy attending Opening Night in the fall at the Symphony! The Symphony performs at the beautiful Benaroya Hall downtown, with excellent acoustics and plenty of seating options. On-site underground parking available ftw. read more

Seattle Symphony - Holiday Pops 2022! - Performing Arts Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Christmas pops 2024 is a BIG disappointment. Worst Christmas pops concert in the history of ever! Zero holiday spirit, Pranther dressed in all black said it all. No singer, no festive props, no joy. Christmas, the holidays or any religious event was not mentioned once. The Christmas season and spirits: abysmal. With each new song, a fresh frisson of dread. Definitely skip Benaroya this season. read more

Seattle Symphony - Performing Arts Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Really great. Excellent venue. The orchestra is spectacular. Love their performances, and they try to be creative and work with many guest musicians, soloists, operatic peformers and conductors. Just "music to your ears"; acoustics are great. My favorites are the classical works, but they also extend to modern, and they give young artists a chance to perform their initial concerts. Many guest performers from Asia and Europe, too. Usually no "woke" stuff, which is really a blessing. Reasonably priced tickets and good availability (well, except for Yo Yo Ma). A real gem for Seattle and an opportunity to educate the public, youth, and non-dilletantes. Would certainly recommend. read more

Always a delight, with a ton of effort to entice multiple types of audiences with multiple types of music; a lot of shows for kids and families; a plethora of world premieres and 24/7 spotlighting on diversity. Easy to get to by bus and with a dedicated parking garage if you go by car. Elevators mean if you arrive by car or light rail you don't even have to step outside the building. Particulary special is the Celebrate Asia concert each year where you can see the audience members in all of their glory - dressed to the nines. read more

The husband and I have a general rule, if there's something nerdy playing at the symphony its a must must. Soo Harry Potter and The Sorcerers Stone came to Seattle Symphony and while I scoffed at the price of tickets and decided to pass, the husband surprised me with box tickets for Valentines Day. The location in Seattle is in a really nice area overlooking the water and surrounded by plenty of restaurants for pre and post symphony snackage. The auditorium is beautiful with gorgeous lighting, an artistic design of the box seats, and pretty comfortable chairs. We enjoyed listening to the symphony while watching the movie play on the screen behind the orchestra. The husband snagged us a glass of wine on intermission which we drank before going back in (no food or beverages allowed in the auditorium of course). It was pretty good wine and made for a nice break. Overall, beautiful location and we so enjoyed listening to the magical Harry Potter music, even if we were surrounded by muggles. read more

Seattle Symphony - HP symphony music is the most magical of all - Performing Arts Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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This review is specifically for the season opening concert and after party on September 17th 2022. While the concert, with the usual "shove new music in your face" approach (which I don't like at all, but that's an entirely different story), was well played, the party was a disaster. Seriously, if you're expecting several thousand dollars of donations ever again, learn how to throw a proper party. The main floor had the DJ play uninspiring pop music that, despite the MCs several encouragements, didn't entice anyone to shake their limbs. Except for that one drunk person who clearly needed to be escorted off the premises as they were a) making a fool of themselves, and b) probably were a huge liability as they were climbing the MC's platform to dance on it and then proceeded to fall off and run into the nearby wall. The initial email promised fancy food by none other than Shota Nakajima of Top Chef fame. Well, while he did show his face occasionally, I have no idea if the food held up to expectations, because we never got to see any. All I ever saw was empty plates with crumbs passed around, so I can only assume that plumes of people in the know assembled right by where they entered the space only to gobble up what little was presented right away, before giving anyone else the chance to sample the delights. OK that's a bit of a lie - we did eventually get our hands on what looked to be hastily thrown together crackers with folded up sliced meat (I honestly couldn't tell you what it was other than it reminded me of that nondescript deli meat you buy in plastic containers from Oscar Meyer and such). This clearly needed a better system of constant supply that was equally accessible to everyone. The bar eventually got in the groove of pre-filling glasses and organising them by type of wine on the bar, so guests could just help themselves (they originally started doing by the glass pours which quickly turned out to be the least efficient way of doing this). Why, if you could just take several glasses and as many as you liked, they only filled them to 1/3 of the usual capacity though was beyond me (waste of glass and dish washing equipment). And don't get me started on the quality of the drinks (the bubbles reminded me of the gross tinned sparkling wine they serve on Alaska flights). During several speeches made prior to the party, it was announced that you could see and chat with the artists afterwards. The only one I saw for five minutes was the first violin, the rest must have missed that announcement as I didn't see any (which doesn't mean they didn't show their face, but if they did it was not in our area). While I generally enjoy attending events at the Seattle Symphony and would typically give them a much better rating, this one was a missed opportunity, and one that in my opinion reflects badly on what you think about your donors. read more

Seattle Symphony - The orchestra setting up - Performing Arts Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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The Seattle Symphony is awesome. I'm not sure how one reviews a symphony since music is largely a personal flavor. What one person can intensely love another can intensely hate - for me I love instrumental music. Clarinets, violins, flutes, cellos, oboes, and the entire brass section fills my heart with joy when played at a professional level. Throw in the choral efforts they have from time to time and I am enthralled. The nicest thing is the Seattle Symphony plays an array of music. Many I know never thought of going to the symphony informing me that they couldn't imagine listening to classical music for hours. While I can I get that's not for everyone and so does the Symphony as they play other performances as well. They'll play soundtrack music by playing the movie on large screens and they play the actual music. They have guest conductors for video game music like the Final Fantasy series or Zelda - two of my favorite performances was video game music. They play soundtrack compilations from a variety of movies tied together with a theme. If you enjoy live symphonic music it is worth trying out as not every city has a symphony and we are spoiled with ours. The ticket pricing for individual shows are affordable, Benaroya is beautiful, and the performances are always lovely. read more

I was so disappointed with this year's Holiday Pops. There was no singer or costume changes, no dancing act, no encore. Some of the music was not holiday themed. We clapped because we kept hoping it would get better, but then it just ended and everyone left. It was not very merry. I hope it goes back to the great show it used to be. read more

First time attending the Seattle Symphony and going while Harry Potter series is in concert was a SOLID choice! Hearing "Hedwig's Theme" live and in that ambiance, truly gave me chills and took me right back to my childhood. Getting to hear everyone's reactions (inclusive of all ages) to their favorite, or not so favorite characters and iconic cinematic moments, was truly the cherry on top to this experience. Whether you're thinking of attending with someone or alone, I 100% recommend it! read more

Seattle Symphony - Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix - Performing Arts Near Me - Seattle, Washington

For my 500th review , I wanted to write it on something that has had an impact on my little people's lives and I was shocked to realize that I hadn't written a review for the Seattle Symphony. The Seattle symphony is a wondrous place and we've been loyal patrons since our youngest was three. I grew up in Chicago which had an amazing symphony and for a smaller city I've been impressed at the caliber of artists and programs that the Seattle Symphony has included. With our youngest being autistic, we initially would go to the sensory concerts. These were in a smaller forum behind Benaroya call and would include an instrument petting zoo. The concerts were short and informal and perfect for our youngest and his older sister. He always listened with rapt attention and our daughter wanted to start piano lessons after seeing the fun that musicians appeared to be having. When he got a bit older we started going to family concerts on Saturday mornings. I love how each one had a theme from Romeo and Juliet, to the Animals, and a Space one (the children loved hearing the theme from Star Wars and having storm troopers walk through the audience). The conductor for the family concerts is typically Pablo Rus Broseta and we all love his enthusiastic energy which helps keep children engaged. More recently we've graduated to also attending some of their regular concerts. My daughter and I went to the organ symphony while the whole family attended Beethoven's ninth. Our eldest in middle school always find the experience sublime and it is has deepened her interest in playing both the piano and being in band. read more

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I used to love going to the symphony, until they started with an announcement before the concert, that the hall sits on stolen Indian land, we are not doing anything about it, but we wanted you to have quilt for spending 100 dollars to listen to an hour and half of classical music on stolen Indian land. Now enjoy the show. I wrote to the marketing department, asking can't we just enjoy the music without politics, their response was to cancel all emails to me and telling me to get lost. I will never, ever go back and we went several times a year. read more

I had such a wonderful time at the Seattle Symphony! My friend and I came here for a performance that the Seattle Symphony was doing with the UW orchestra, playing music to West Side Story. You really get a great view no matter where you sit, as the space is large with multiple stories and balconies and comfy chairs. Once the performance starts the lights dims and before so, you are warned to turn off all phones. You won't need them anyway because you'll be so mesmerized by the music! The acoustics are awesome here! In the lobby of the area they sell refreshments, including a full bar, and had the Delicatus eatery open before the show. The performance was split into two sessions with an intermission in between. We enjoyed the performance and thought that the Seattle Symphony did a wonderful job collaborating with the UW students performing. I don't know how they do it either, but the stage was packed with so many musicians, yet you were able to see all the different instruments and performers. Time flew! I would definitely come back to the Seattle Symphony! They put on great shows that are affordable, it's easily accessible in downtown Seattle with a transit station just below, and the music is something to not be missed. Make a date of it! read more

Seattle Symphony - View - Performing Arts Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Superb performance of Handel's Messiah and Conductor Jeannin. By the robust audience response, they loved it too. Only faux pas was that the program text and translation didn't match the actual performance and it caught the audience off guard a couple times. read more

Seattle Symphony - Performing Arts Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Pure joy. This is how I feel when I get to witness the spectacle that is the Seattle Symphony. Whether they are playing the classics or something seasonal, this professional group of artists is simply sensational. While the cost of tickets is sometimes prohibitive they offer promotions and they are worth every penny to witness at least once in one's life! No matter where you are seated in the performance hall you will enjoy the spectacular sound of this group. Restrooms are not all that close to the hall so don't plan on using them in the middle of the performance - it is quite disruptive if you have to get up between the start and intermission or between intermission and the end. Pre-order your drinks before the show starts if you want an expedited beverage come intermission! read more

My SO and I purchased tickets to watch Harry Potter (movie on screen) along with live music from the Seattle Symphony. While we were watching movies, there were many times that we forgot we were sitting in a music theater listening to live music performance..and that to us is a huge thing. It also helped that the atmosphere of this particular performance was inviting and more along the casual side (vs a more formal one that you'd expect from other orchestra performances) because of the nature of the movie fan base and the crowd that it attracted. Overall, we were really happy with the performance. Sure the ticket may be a lil steep (i think we paid closer to $90 a ticket), but the live performance for close to 3 hours and the movie made the experience all worth it! While I'm not sure if I would go to an orchestra in a formal setting, I would definitely be interested in purchasing another ticket to go see a movie/music performance combo like Harry Potter, heck even Final Fantasy, etc again! read more

Seattle Symphony - Movie & live music starting soon! - Performing Arts Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Every time I come to the Seattle Symphony, I wonder why I don't come back more often. After having a kid, I was so happy to find they offer a tots program which is specifically for the 0-5 age audience and it is finally back after covid. It is 30 minutes performance and there is no shame if you have a crying kid or one who can't sit still. They have a great host, with a lot of singing and dancing opportunities. I love this avenue to expose my kiddo to the arts and instill some curiosity while they are still young. We hope to attend more performances in the future as a family. read more

The actual music was on par with my old high schools music program, nothing amazing but I'd probably give it a polite 3* if not for the fact that the forward performer dressed like a cherry starburst. How unprofessional, all your colleagues are professional and look nice but you are so attention starved you have to ruin the whole production, and not only that; the director should be ashamed for allowing it. You should have a professional standard read more

Never underestimate the power of the Force. Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert at Benaroya was a night for the books. Lawrence Loh (Conductor) was the man! and I was literally at jaw-dropping awe the entire night at the orchestra's deft execution of John Williams' epically moving score. Our large group was pleasantly surprised that we had 4th row seats upon being ushered in, and we got many thumbs up and smiles of approval at our cosplay outfits and accessories. Another couple was in our seats at first but a second usher very professionally escorted them to their rightful spots. Such a fun night that I will remember for a long time to come. Something about watching a 1977 iconic movie to a live score with a sold out crowd and sharing laughter at Han and Luke vying for Leia and 3PO constantly undercutting R2 is totally lit. read more

Seattle Symphony - Conductor Lawrence Loh and the superteam that make up the Seattle Symphony @ Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert - Performing Arts Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Ever sat down and wondered, like a kid, the grandeur of something magnificent. There are few things in Seattle that really stop you dead in your tracks. The glow of Benaroya Hall, there is a certain energy in the air, it's seems really busy and fast. All walks of life gather, they chat, laughter in the air, the shrill of wine classes meeting. The Seattle Symphony. It's a walks down modern history. Walking up the stairs, there is a peaceful escape from the masses. Look down, and see that everyone is here to feel the delight of something grand. There is a necessity of casual formality. The moment you walk into the main auditorium, life changes. It slows down. There feels of eternity, like experiencing a show destined for great and worthy eyes. The crowd finds their seats, the urgency, a little anxiety rushes past, then the lights dim. The sound of heartbeats mummer in anticipation and then the enablers, the musicians, carefully mind their tools, the delicate impact of their motions. A nod, then... magic. It's like Mozart's soul was infused in the instruments, in a voice from a chorus, his essence like a flow of energy fills the hall. A requiem of emotions echo from, as if the notes of the pages jumped into life. Going to the Seattle Symphony is an experience, it's why I'm a contributor, why I spend my nights, delightfully entranced. read more

I know it's kind of ridiculous to review a symphony on yelp, because their programs change and their players probably change, and music is a very personal experience. Still, I do have a few comments, so here goes. I've always loved the music here, and I think it's awesome how the Seattle Symphony plays a lot of well known classics, less well known classics, and still incorporates new and exciting literature into their programs. They perform at a very high caliber. And it's especially awesome how they have programs for people in my age bracket who may not be able to afford their best seats but still have a deep love for classical music. (Those programs are MySymphony and Wolfgang) My one complaint with those programs, and I guess with the Symphony's website in general, is that it is very hard to navigate, and buying tickets online can be a bit of a technical maze. And I'm from the generation that grew up with the internet! The fact is that the user interface on their website is not very intuitive. In addition, the process of buying tickets through MySymphony, especially the first time, is rather confusing. I will continue to wade through the confusion, though, because the music is definitely worth it. read more

My friend gave me tickets to the symphony, which were $22 seats. We were just a few rows from the stage and had a great view. Parking in the area wasn't too bad. I circled a few times and found street parking that allowed parking after 6pm and paid $1.30 at the meter. Getting back to the symphony though.. It was so relaxing. I'm not one that will listen to classical music, but I can certainly appreciate it. It was nice to just sit with your eyes closed, free of distractions and cell phones and become entranced in the music. Something they don't tell you at the bar.. You can't take your drinks inside. It's nice that you can pay in advance though and another will be ready and waiting for you at intermission. read more

Seattle Symphony - Performing Arts Near Me - Seattle, Washington

A great place for awesome music. Bring everyone you know. Seriously. If you're thinking about a specific 'dress code' that you have to adhere to, worry not. I sat next to a guy wearing cargo shorts while I was wearing my jeans and boots. It's a fun place to just appreciate music. If you want to dress up, go for it. Going casual? Why not. I prefer making a day of it, hitting up pike place, restaurants, and SAM if you have enough time. You deserve a day to enjoy so what are you waiting for? read more

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I caught Ravel's "Bolero" last night & it was simply beautiful! Morlot conducted & the Seattle Symphony's performance was seamless... slowly & slowly building to a wonderful crescendo. Really moving. That said, I have to give a nod to Benaroya Hall. Wonderful acoustics. It was a 5 star performance all around. Highly recommend taking in a performance there. read more

Seattle Symphony - Seattle Symphony inside Benaroya Hall - Performing Arts Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Disclaimer: I'm a season ticket subscriber. I've been going to the Symphony for a few years now and love it. The performances and the selection of programs offered are top notch. The Symphony is hosted out of Benaroya Hall in downtown Seattle. Visitors are advised to prepay parking if their performance is on a weekend as parking fills up quickly and the adjacent lots are either not safe or pricey. Benaroya has a couple of restaurants inside, the classy Muse and the simpler Dave's. There is also the Symphony Store that is open prior to performances. Many performances will have a lecture starting one hour prior that runs for 30-40 minutes and then the performers will start coming out on stage to tune their instruments. Performances are generally broken down into several categories: Masterworks - classic symphony pieces (something the symphony excels at) Pops - exactly as it sounds, more poppy or modern music (example: Star Wars theme) Untitled - newer artists that are not yet popular (in many cases with good reason as some of the music isn't that great) Untuxed, or Live - performances that are generally shorter and made for newer visitors to the Symphony. A Masterworks performance generally lasts one and a half hours plus a twenty minute intermission. During intermission you can step out into the lobby and enjoy a glass of wine or champagne (you can prepay for this so it is ready immediately). I've had the opportunity to visit symphonies elsewhere in the world and the US and the Seattle Symphony is one of the better ones and its venue is quite nice. I remove a star for the following reasons: Parking - if you don't prepay, it's not convenient and it frequently sells out Mixing of program pieces - what I mean by this is you may go to a Masterworks performance and the first and final pieces will be as expected but the Symphony may do a third piece between the two that will be from the Untitled selection. Frequently that middle piece will not fit in with the other two and on occasion won't even be good (I've experienced this twice). read more

It's been a few years since my initial review, which precisely one person found "useful" and precisely zero people found either "funny" or "cool." My reach is...stunning. Anyway, I thought I'd write an update of the Seattle Symphony, a wonderful local institution to which I am a happy subscriber. Conductor and music director Ludovic Morlot has announced that he will be leaving after the 2018-2019 season, so we're nearing another period of transition for the Symphony. That said, he continues to produce programs that are balanced between the reliable stable of famous masterpieces, more obscure works from the past, and a healthy dose of new and often challenging works by contemporary composers. He has also overseen production of some very good Seattle Symphony recordings, my favorite being the album of works by Faure. It will be interesting to see how Maestro Morlot will finish his tenure and what course the next music director will take. I continue to love going to the Symphony for its Masterworks Series and also to some of the special programs they offer; classical music is a great joy, and we are truly blessed to have such an excellent symphony here in our hometown. The orchestra has some very talented musicians; in particular, the woodwinds and French horns regularly shine. The strings' solid play makes some of the more animated violinists' goofy behaviors and stage presence somewhat less distracting. And the guest soloists are uniformly excellent--super famous ones like Yo-Yo Ma and Hillary Hahn and Joshua Bell and Itzhak Perlman appear nearly every year, but the less household names are just as wonderful to see and listen to and are gracious with encores after their portion of the program. There have been many, many performances that have really blown me away; I think in particular of a recent performance of Bruckner's 5th Symphony; Shostakovich's "Leningrad" Symphony a few seasons ago, two performances of Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition," and the thorough treatments that Beethoven, Dvorak and Sibelius received over the past few seasons. I can't wait for the end of this season, which will feature some tone poems by Strauss. The 2017-2018 Masterworks Series seems like it will be a bit riskier, with less reliance on romantic favorites, but it will end with Saint-Saens' terrific 3rd Symphony (the "Organ Symphony"). As in my last review, I still am holding out on many of the US and World Premieres of contemporary classical music...the Seattle Symphony is very generous in its treatment of new works, but I have yet to connect to a lot of contemporary classical's caustic, dissonant heavy-handedness. I do wonder how many of the pieces being composed in this decade will enter the regular repertoires of symphonies in the decades to come. So, yeah. A few final whimsical notes for those of you who chose to read this far: --The seats in Benaroya Hall could use a good re-upholstering after nearly two decades of upper-middle class butts being planted in them several days per week. --For a good time, you and your fellow symphony goer can place an over/under bet on how many loud noises will occur during delicate moments of a performance...dropped programs, etc. Seattle audiences have a bad case of the butter fingers. --The outer lobby smells like beef stew. I probably ought to put that in an updated review of Benaroya Hall rather than here. Eh...it's my review, so there. --During the spring, the Ticket Office will call you. A lot. Over and over again. --To that one person out there who found my earlier review "useful": high-five, and thank you for reading. If there is anything I can do to make my reviews funny and cool, do let me know. It's entirely possible that your opinion, and yours alone, means a lot to me. read more

Visited the Seattle Symphony to watch & listen to the performance of Cirque de la Symphonie. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. When the orchestra first played, I genuinely believed it was a CD track playing, it was so perfect. The composer was a nice guy, and interacted nicely with the Cirque performers. The whole experience was delightful, great combination of music & performance. We bought our tickets to include parking, which was very convenient. In general, the hall is very beautiful, there's a Starbucks, and what is seemingly a Wolfgang Puck food area. Nice evening out with friends, or for a romantic evening. read more

Star Wars a new hope was the biggest movie of my childhood. The Seattle Symphony took those great memories and feelings to a whole new level. I nearly cried at times it was so good. My son and I went last Sunday and were both blown away. There is not a bad seat in the house. I will definitely be looking at future dates and will likely become a member. read more

Going to the Seattle Symphony is a treat. I love coming here and always tell myself I'll come here at least twice a year, but it hasn't worked out that way yet. I have multiple excuses: downtown Seattle is a clusterf*ck during rush hours, the food options nearby suck for the most part so you can't really do a quick dinner before the symphony (especially now that the Georgian doesn't do dinner service anymore), and the food/non-alcoholic drink options in Benaroya Hall also kind of sucks (can't we have nice creamy Viennese hot cocoa?). Okay, let's get to the good part: Benaroya Hall is gorgeous and Seattle Symphony does a good job developing programs that include something for everyone. There's always something that everyone can appreciate and enjoy, and there's usually something less accessible/more technical for the hardcore classical music enthusiasts. The ticket prices are also not outrageous. You can find decent seats for $30/piece and more prime seating at $60+, so really not that bad. Finding parking on the street can be kind of tough, but there are parking garages nearby that charges $5-10 for the entire evening. They also do a lot of fun stuff for kids and kids trapped in adult bodies. read more

The Seattle Symphony puts on a series of "concerts" and musical storytelling that are geared towards kids. The Tiny Tots performances are 30 min. long and designed for infants from birth to children 5 years old. Baby and I went to Jumpin' to That Jazz Beat hosted by Lisa & Linda. They dressed up as "jazz cats" and were just as comical as the young 4 piece jazz band. The bass player looked like Dougie Houser, MD. The drummer had his mouth open during most the performance. Great- really inspirational. Still, they incorporated baby sign language, movement, and lots of clapping into the music and made it an interesting diversion. http://www.seattlesymphony.org/symphony/community/young/tiny.aspx read more

I've attended the Symphony a total of three times. All three times involved violinist and lots of violin solos. The first time I wasn't a fan, it took me six years to go back again. The second time I thought oh it's not that bad I kind of like it, damn why have I been so stubborn and not attended. After the first Act of the third time I thought oh I do like this that was great but after the end of the second Act of my third time I was back to I don't really like this. I got bored, it didn't do anything for me. The only thing that really kept me going was thinking about what I had seen earlier in the evening. http://www.yelp.com/user_details_review_search?q=taboo&userid=op_PKWquyGZyYQkGv9V20w Just because I was got bored does not mean you will, I think everyone should go and experience the Symphony at least once in their life otherwise how will you know if you like it or not? read more

Best place to feed my classical music obsession! I've been to over 38 shows at Bena Roya hall in the past 3 years and out of which: 30 shows were symphonies! Obsession on crack. Yes. So what?! I've loved everything from Beethoven's 9th symphony to Bach, Disney, Holiday pops, NYE, Chopin and movie play alongs. Casablanca being my absolutely favorite one. Valentine show was the only thing I didn't love as much because my champagne cost as much as my ticket!! Eeeeeek. But hey, it is romantic anytime or day. The new principal conductor of this year: Ludvic Morlot is as good as he can be. I love watching him in action. Coming here makes me happy, giddy and usually calm. I've done plethora of subscriptions and it is still not enough. I've picked this over clubbing and crappy music venues in my early 20s and I still pick this as my favorite in my mid twenties. Afterall, music is absolutely good for your soul. And you don't need to compromise anything if you come to Seattle Symphony! Great music, stunning venue and oh so happy feeling of being right in the middle of it all. Love love love!! Prepay your parking online so you don't need to deal with that god awful downtown parking. That way, you'll be in and out with a happy smile! read more

I completely agree with Andrew L. There's a certain energy. A brilliance. An awe of its grandeur. An escape from the monotonous rush of our daily lives. The orchestra is so tight, the music entrancing. The performers last night were hilarious (from Barbara Streisand's Songbook) and amazingly talented. Definitely a must see in Seattle. read more

I can't approve the squandering of civic resources on an obsolete technology like the symphony orchestra. But if they will insist on having one, I will go and listen. Listen and be disappointed, if the two concerts I've heard so far are a fair representation. In both cases the program comprised a centerpiece work with guest soloist(s), well-rehearsed and enjoyable, padded out with old standbys the orchestra was evidently supposed to know inside and out and be able to slide through without practice. Or at least I presume skimpy rehearsal is why the paths taken by winds and strings, or violins and basses, or this section and that, seemed so frequently to diverge, weaving in and out and bidding one another good evening but never quite settling down to walk together side by side. They got a standing ovation, of course. Probably instigated by some of the same people who are giving their money to support this antiquated institution when they could, instead, be buying reading glasses for farmers in India. Or something. read more

The Seattle Symphony puts on some really nice performances but I can't just give them 5 stars because they are not the best or most consistent symphony. I try to go two or three times a month which is super easy for students in campus club. The $10 last minute tickets are awesome. They even have 2-for-1 deals on particularly slow nights. My advice is to buy tickets early to the shows that will sell out or get super expensive (like Lang Lang, Itzhak Perlman) and do campus club for the rest. They have a great list of guest soloists, conductors and orchestras and Benaroya Hall is beautiful. But Gerard Schwarz, and the musicians, have their limitations and I cannot in good faith advise you to see Schwarz conduct anything by a Russian composer. Oh, and another advantage of the recession: people no longer clap during movements. (Yes, I am a snob.) read more

I live very close to Benaroya hall, and have a subscription. The Seattle Symphony continues to impress me each time I go. They bring in a very high caliber of soloists, plan a diverse and interesting calendar with something for everyone, and, most importantly, play incredibly well! Contrary to what you might expect up in this far-off corner of the country, the Seattle Symphony sounds world-class. If you go for an old standard that they do every year (like the "Messiah" or Beethoven's 9th), you may be a bit disappointed. I think that's the product of repetition and loss of interest on the part of the orchestra. Instead, your best bet is to go for an exciting piece when Mr. Schwartz is conducting. I've had wonderful experiences listening to Piano Concerti in particular. Benaroya Hall is a particularly beautiful venue; there really doesn't seem to be bad seat in the house! read more