What a fantastic venue, built in the art deco style and commanding the presence of mind a building of this era deserves - she presents good sides in all the right places! She presents herself along Euclid and East streets the best, in my opinion - from the outside. Once inside - the main Grand Foyer is not to be missed! Even the side street and back door entrances, and the lower level lobby and vestibule areas beg to be inspected and enjoyed visually and audibly, as the sounds echo off the beautiful marbled floorings. The music hall is a jewel that showcases all of what is right with the art deco movement - and acoustically allows for the magnificent capture of sounds from the silence of a pin drop to the booming bass drums in a Sousa March - or monolithic Wagner Orchestral sounds - they are all to be enjoyed with every style and volume in between. I have enjoyed each visit and treasured each one - looking forward to the next one! I hope to bring my family on a trip with me one of these times as I visit the city for a mix of medical and work visits. Until next time - thank you for another great performance Severance Hall! read more

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Gorgeous interior. Lots of steps and finding your way around can be confusing at first but so many staff available to help and they were all nice! Seemed like the food and alcohol was your typical theatre fare, popcorn, wines, simple mixed drinks. read more

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We attended the Video Game Symphony at Severance Hall. It had been many years since visiting Severance Hall and it was as beautiful as I remembered. At every turn there is ornate decor. In my opinion the sound inside the hall is amazing. This is a true Cleveland treasure. Any Clevelander or visitor should put a trip to Severance Hall on their list. They also offer tours on their website if you are interested in the history of the building. There is a parking garage attached. For our event parking was $20. We easily found street parking for much less. It is also nice there are ushers to assist you in finding your seat. We had tickets at will call. Picking up our tickets was fast and efficient. During our event they only allowed water in the venue, but it appeared they have full bar for other events. read more

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Severance Hall is home to the Cleveland Orchestra and occasional friends. The space is very beautiful, and the acoustics are incredible. I've been to 2 performances and a special event there over the past year and very much enjoy it. I saw the Rock Orchestra in December and it was my favorite concert experience. This is an old venue, so seats are tight and on the small side. There is only one elevator to serve the hall, but the ushers mentioned it is the last person operated elevator in Cleveland, so could be worth the wait for the experience! The orchestra performs MANY shows over their season, but only a handful of performances for each, so make sure to jump on any events you are interested in - they regularly sell out. Parking in the garage under the concert hall can be tight, but is very well managed by a fleet of highly attentive attendants. Note that prior to a performance, Euclid Ave will back up - give yourself time to get there. One downside of the experience is that they continue to seat through the entire performance, and it's a bit disruptive. Other performing venues I've been to have late comers wait at the back until a natural pause occurs. read more

Severance Hall - The Rock Orchestra - Music Venues Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

We saw the Cleveland Orchestra's Christmas show this week and it was a lovely performance. The venue is gorgeous and the acoustics are very good. The venue opens early and offers a nice selection of drinks and some snacks - all very expensive - but I suppose it helps to maintain the venue. This is one of Cleveland's treasures. read more

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Had a subscription to Severance Hall and loved everything about it. Unfortunately we are in our 70's and driving in the NIGHT to performances and during bad weather became too much. Most of the patrons were around our age group and we had hoped that they would begin to offer afternoon performances, but no....so we had to cancel our subscription and only book any performances that are in the afternoon. read more

Recently attended a performance featuring Appolo's Fire. We were extremely disappointed with their political version of the National Anthem. We go to a concert to enjoy the music please don't interject your political beliefs. Other than that the Staff is always polite and accommodating. read more

This is a beautiful performing arts venue, and it is a historical treasure to Cleveland. I was lucky enough to live with cleveland institute of music students and they'd tell me when cool/discount events were happening, like the Strauss concert I went to, and the free student night event. There are capstone performances by CIM students as well that are fairly cheap or sometimes free to attend, and are really superb since the students work so hard! The facility itself is also just beautiful, it's really worth going to at least one event if you're in the area. read more

Beautiful space with immaculate acoustics. The Cleveland Symphony is as good as any in the country, and I've heard them all. The performance I attended included an amazing world premier, a stunning performance of a Prokofiev symphony, and an absolutely mind-blowing performance of the Barber cello concerto. The music might not be this spectacular every time, but I bet the orchestra is always world class. Plus, we sat fourth row orchestra for just $31 apiece! We live in Rochester, home to a great orchestra and even more magnificent concert hall, but we will definitely be seeing at least a couple shows at Severance every year from here on out. read more

I finally visited Severance Hall after 1 year and 8 months of living in Cleveland. The inside of this historical building is so beautiful. FREE EVENT -- I was happy to find out about a free performance that was held on Friday, 12 April 2019. The Cleveland Institute of Music had students perform with guest conductor Robert Spano. Instruments used throughout the concert included the violin, flute, harp, and so on. The performance was truly wonderful and it lasted for about 80 minutes without an intermission. By the way, after about 45 mins, I moved up to the balcony to get a better view of the orchestra. I originally arrived 15 mins late and I was stuck in the front row where I had a limited view of the orchestra members. Sitting up high allows you to enjoy the full experience. I definitely recommend that you visit Severance Hall. It opened in 1931 and it really is a state-of-the-art building. I even got to enter the original elevator which is super big and has a handle to open and close it. That was a cool experience....haha. Severance Hall is the home base to the Cleveland Orchestra and there are many shows throughout the year. All the staff members I encountered where friendly especially in helping me move my seat to one on the lower balcony. I can't wait to come back to Severance Hall for other performances. *** - 61 total reviews in 2019 - 270 total Yelp reviews - Reviewed on 17 April 2019 read more

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Came here with work colleagues for the Pictures at an Exhibition by Modest Mussorgsky performed by the Cleveland Orchestra led by Franz Wessler-Most and pianist Vikingur Olafsson. This was my first time attending a Cleveland Orchestra show and it was so impressive. For any music lovers, I strongly encourage you to attend a show. Be sure to be there on time - they are serious about seating on time. Paid parking can be purchased online and often sells out. Truly an unexpected gem in Cleveland! read more

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I haven't been to Severance Hall in over 30 years. However when did go the atmosphere was lovely and the orchestra was amazing.

Gosh, it was great to be back! Iconic hall with the best orchestra ever. Looking forward to the regular concert series starting up. read more

Severance Hall - Severance - Music Venues Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Attended Cleveland Pops Orchestra on Friday night thanks to @YelpCleveland ticket giveaway. Cleveland Pops is super cool - it's an approachable / more casual way to approach classical music. Show was 2 hrs with intermission, and was lively, fun, entertaining and educational. Severance Hall is easily accessible in the University Circle area, lots of eateries to choose from nearby that, in warmer weather, are comfortable walking distance. Parking garage below the building is convenient and reasonably priced. Inside the lobby and restaurant/cafe area are a bit elegant/old style design and lack of windows and natural light make it all a bit stuffy. Bathrooms were packed pre-show and a bit humid/warm (due for a major overhaul). The Hall itself is beautifully decorated in gold and ivory, and music is crisp even at the high balcony level. View is quite decent, even in balcony. In summary: if you're not into old fashioned stuffy orchestra, make it a date night and give the Pops a try:) read more

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Wow, this venue is beautiful. I first went to Severance for a school-sponsored comedy show, which was fine. However, I came back for the Cleveland Orchestra, and it was beautiful. The venue is absolutely breathtaking. We went on the night that hosted Emanuel Ax. As someone who isn't a regular attendee of orchestras, this was absolutely phenomenal. My partner and I are highly debating obtaining an annual subscription for the Cleveland Orchestra so we can attend more frequently. The staff is super warm and friendly. Admission is super easy and smooth process. I was absolutely captivated by the performance, amplified by the beauty of the venue. Definitely hoping to become a regular here. read more

Severance Hall - Music Venues Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

I recommend attending the Christmas concert. A sing-along and Santa are included. I especially liked the full sound of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." Great acoustics. The formality of the orchestra and the audience is very nice. read more

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These aren't just any normal ants. These are severe-ants. This is a gorgeous building that reminds me of the London Planetarium or a much older version of Madison Square Garden. It's got a lovely dome-shaped roof and is pretty spectacular inside with good acoustics. It's a lovely building at Case Western out in the East Burbs University Heights area of Cleveland, which is probably the most collegey area of town - can you tell from the name? read more

Severance Hall - I came here for a severance payment. Did not get it. False advertising. - Music Venues Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Amazing talent!! Unbelievable unity. This was our first time to the Cleveland Orchestra. It won't be our last for sure. Each instrument was perfectly played. I can't even imagine the amount of practice this took to have it come all together so nicely. read more

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Gorgeous gorgeous venue! I've been here for two concerts and a ceremony, and can say that it's beautiful from the inside out. Acoustics are fitting for the great Cleveland Philharmonic and their guest vocalists, and the way the gilded walls and ceiling are decorated makes it seem like the stage is emanating an ethereal light. The full majesty of the theater is best appreciated from a balcony seat, where you can look omnisciently upon the orchestra, but you can also get up close and personal with one of the floor seats. The lobby of Severance is equally grand, and typically you'll find that its patrons classily dressed to match. No need to freak out if you're coming from class or work without a change of clothes - jeans and sneakers are fine and you'll find a good mix of casually dressed students (myself among them) attending most performances. A free coat check is available during the winter months or for those of us with extra baggage, but just be warned that both the coat check and the line to exit the parking garage clog up VERY quickly following a concert. There's a restaurant open before/after select performances, but I have no comments to pass on about it. A bar is also available in the lobby itself and mezzanine levels before performances. The ushers and staff have been extremely helpful each time I went. They graciously open doors for you and give you the real royal treatment! If you're a Case student, why not take advantage of the $15 tickets??? read more

Severance Hall - From the top balcony, at Shostakovich No. 4! - Music Venues Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

What a nostalgic and beautiful venue. Staff was readily available to guide you to your seat. Thoroughly enjoyed the orchestra!

Brilliant venue-history everywhere. Cleveland Orchestra is amazing. Definitely worth going.

I recently attended the Night At The Movies event for Breakfast at Tiffany's, where they play the film on a screen and the Orchestra performs the music live. For starters, I love this program. As an event series, Night At The Movies is such a nice way to experience The Cleveland Orchestra if you're not into classical music standards. Disclosure: The seats are in dire need of an upgrade and are likely to be an issue for those with accessibility needs. They are super low to the ground and not spacious (you'll be in trouble if you're tall) and rather uncomfortable. I think someone told me they are still the original seats (with some newer upholstery) from the 1930s. I have an injury and the chairs felt intolerable for me during the first half of the show. A lot of others around me were struggling. At intermission, we asked an usher if there was absolutely anywhere he could move us. I want to give a tremendous shoutout to the manager of the ushers, Willie. Willie was super kind and made sure he found a different style seating for us (and for the record, we had incredible seats. We weren't scamming for an upgrade, we just were willing to sit ANYWHERE else). In fact, I need to give Willie props all around. He was clearly swamped with requests at Intermission from people all also in the same boat as me, as well as seniors and disabled folks. I am pretty sure he found an appropriate seat for every single person. Seats aside, The Cleveland Orchestra is a glorious musical gem, and everyone should visit at least once. Their programming is incredible. The chorus did a beautiful job last night singing "Moon River". read more

Severance Hall - Night At The Movies: Breakfast At Tiffany's - Music Venues Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

We went to see the Christmas concert this evening and it was wonderful. Place was jammed and the orchestras along with the choir was great. First time we have ever done this and won't be the last. Severance Hall is lovely and worth the visit. read more

Severance Hall - Music Venues Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Severance Hall has always been one of those mystic unicorns that you hear is super amazing but somehow never seen- making it even more alluring. I've read that "all seats are good seats" but some of the pictures and the seating chart made me question that- I was wrong. Even up in the middle of the balcony is was cozy and intimate and our seats were still great. The interior is such a combination of styles which makes it an interesting form of beautiful. They also decorated for the holidays extremely well which made me happy. I know nothing about acoustics but more acoustically gifted people say the way the sound travels in this building is phenomenal. When you go to a show most people go to see and hear something beautiful. So that's a check and a check. I took my mother to see the orchestra and bought the prepaid parking. It was perfect because it's connected to Severance which means you don't have to waddle like a penguin outside across snow and ice in insensible shoes. They also had staff directing the traffic out afterwards which helped alleviate the mass chaos we started out in. Some people have qualms that the seats and rows are too small but this building was completed in 1931. That was 85 years ago!!!! Humans have gotten larger (in every direction) in the 90 years from when they made the blueprints. Expecting big seats is like wondering why your 1967 mustang doesn't do as well as your wrangler in the snow. Appreciate the discomfort and marvel at your show! read more

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Always a beautiful evening at Severance Hall. The hall itself is gorgeous with its ornate ceiling and cozy atmosphere of luxury. There is really not a bad seat in the house but you may do some stair climbing to get there. I enjoy a classic night out with people who remember how to dress for the theater or orchestra! It adds an element of excitement and makes the evening seem special. We parked on the street as the garage was full (Prepaid parking only). A glass of wine was enjoyed as we waited to take our seats in the balcony. It was a beautiful trip up that grand staircase. Cleveland Pops put on a program, Now That's Italian". Carl Topilow a master maestro and entertainer as always and the Pops is always extraordinary. It was a mixed program of opera arias and duets as well as classic popular Italian music like, That's Amore (which the audience sang!). Sponsors participated in the orchestra by striking anvils! So much fun. Carl had a green, white and red clarinet prepared. Guess why? Fabulous evening. read more

Severance Hall - Continued - Music Venues Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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What a venue for outstanding performances. Beautiful, comfortable and wonderful acoustics. The ushers are so friendly, welcoming and helpful. Highly recommend! read more

What a beautiful venue, holding a world renowned orchestra! You must go at least once even if you don't like that kind of music. It makes a person proud to be part of Cleveland! We have so much culture at our fingertips that people forget about. Great acoustics, decor, and beautiful architecture. Wether your from Cleveland or not make this a bucket list to do. read more

This is an absolutely beautiful venue: Cleveland's own Carnegie Hall. It has over 2100 seats and we went to a sold out event. We were quite happy that we had good seats because I strongly suspect that the seats up high in the balcony aren't very good. This is truly a stunning concert hall for the city of Cleveland. read more

Severance Hall - Music Venues Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

History, music, and grandeur - all found within the halls and walls of the exquisitely architected Severance Hall, home to the magnificent Cleveland Orchestra and its loyal patrons. Located in Uptown right next to Case Western's library, this dome is the premier destination for all things "world" and "class" involving music. Each performance has a theme, and the repertoire ranges from symphonies of the Classical and Romantic eras (like those of Beethoven, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Wagner...hey while we are at it, let's add Dvořák, Tchaikovsky, Haydn, Mahler, Schubert...okay I'll pause there for now...) to obscure contemporary pieces. They also have a monthly event called "Night at the Movies" where the orchestra performs a live accompaniment of the background music while you watch the feature movie on screen - the last one I saw featured a soloist who accompanied the entire movie of "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", on an organ, and he did so with a grace and raging eccentricity that Dr. Jekyll himself would praise. Need a night to go out and dress up with your friends? Severance has you covered. Curious about the history of musical compositions? The Severance "playbill" booklet is your educational go-to. Want to see and hear a [Insert Name of Instrument Here]? You bet you will see it played at the highest level at Severance. If you haven't already been to a Cleveland Orchestra concert, I highly recommend you check it out and feast your eyes and ears on something truly glorious. read more

I've been here many times and heard many a guest performer mention how this was among the most acoustically correct concert halls they have ever performed in. Look up at the ceiling and marvel at the architecture and the detail involved in creating this functional work of art. This was built at another era when aesthetics were just as important as function. You will hard pressed to find other concert halls that look this good. This was also built before the obesity epidemic, so don't expect bucket chairs and 'biggie' cup holders. Severance Hall is home to the Cleveland Orchestra, ranked as among the top orchestras in the world. I am not a classical music aficionado, but appreciate good music and great acoustics when I recognize it. This venue is a winter favorite for my family. The one thing to look forward to every December is the Christmas concert. There too are concert series made specifically for children. For dining, a restaurant in the venue exists that bears the same name with reservations highly recommended for a leisurely meal before the show. There are great dining options in the area: Trentina, L'Albatross, Crop Kitchen (planned), and all Little Italy restaurants. This is not just a gem by Cleveland standards. Severance Hall is a treasure for the world. read more

Severance Hall - Christmas concert! - Music Venues Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Went here to see my first opera: The Cunning Little Vixen. The outside and inside are beautiful, just be warned that you will be backed in like a can of sardines, the chairs are so mushed together I am not sure how anyone tall or plus sized would be able to fit comfortably since even I had my knees in the back of a seat. The Orchestra was great, the animated opera was a bit odd though. I'd love to check out the summer orchestra series at Blossom. read more

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This review is for both the Severance Hall for concerts and for the restaurant. Have been here several times since summer for Cleveland Symphony events. Magnificent space with comfortable seats and excellent acoustics. Truly world class. Have sat on the floor level and the balcony and box seats, not a bad seat in the house, IMO. Dinner--the restaurant is excellent for a pre-concert dinner. Excellent entrees and wine list. Great service. Pasta dishes, sea food dishes, steak were excellent. read more

Seeing the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall is an experience i'll never forget! The building itself is a piece of art, and provides so much to look at. The ceilings are beautifully decorated, and I couldn't stop staring at the architecture throughout my entire visit. I've seen three performances at this hall, and each time it has been a reviving experience. The professionalism of the acoustics really give a whole new sound to a live orchestra performance. read more

I love coming here to listen to The Cleveland Orchestra. It's just perfectly tuned for them. The restaurant seems to have been upgraded since I don't remember having a nice dinner as we recently had. What a surprise. The building shows history but little upgrade like this is a nice touch. read more

It doesn't get much better than Severance Hall. This is an outstanding space for concerts, and the orchestra's choices of pieces to perform are among the best. If you sit in the center, the sound is overwhelmingly excellent. You can experience truly exquisite music here. Plus, the building itself is magnificent. Garage parking ($11) next door allows easy entry and exit (you don't even have to go outside). read more

Severance Hall - It doesn't get much better than this. - Music Venues Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

So, we got to see a comedy show featuring John Oliver at Severance, and may I say, I love this classic concert hall with great zeal. Severance is a piece of Cleveland history, from regular concerts by the legendary Cleveland Orchestra, to Opera, to other shows in comedy and performance vein. I've gotten to see my nephew perform with the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Choir, and I've marveled at the amazing and beautiful architecture and history. Also, the Severance restaurant, located downstairs, serves wonderful meals and is open to the public several times a week. If you're in town and want to see our wonderful orchestra, buy a ticket and soak the atmosphere at this wonderful Cleveland land mark, you'll be glad you did! read more

Stunning venue. From the staircases to the stage, the decor is spectacular. There are a variety of shows here and of course, The Cleveland Orchestra is known to be one of the best. The acoustics are good. Theres a lot if restaurants also in University Circle if you want to dine before a show. The hall is located on the Case Western/UH campus. The view from Severance is also pretty looking out at a lake. If you are late, the ushers will seat you in the back but I feel that there isn't bad seat in the place. You can see and hear from anywhere. They offer case western student discounts also. read more

Words simply do not do this theatre justice. Exterior and interior both deserve the highest appraisal. Acoustics: second to none. No bad seats in the house, although walking up to the balcony may be a drag for some. Bright, warm, and illuminating, even when the lights dim for showtime. Ushers are pleasant and helpful. Decent leg room in the balcony for those of us shorter than 5'7". Parking available under the Hall, but should be reserved beforehand. The web site has other parking options available close by, as cheap as $7. The grandeur of Severance Hall is absolutely commensurate to the globally renowned, ever-talented musicians. Cleveland has a lot to be proud of. read more

Wowowowow am I impressed with this place. Kind of hard to believe I'm even in Cleveland and not in a historical building in Europe. This place has fancy, classy, and professional written all over it. First off- BIG tip: if your late by one minute to any of the orchestras, they will NOT let you in until the first intermission (which is 45 min. into the concert). They are prompt and expect you to head in 10 minutes before the hour by ringing a bell. The seats are blue velvet and very comfy. The stage, the balcony, the very intricate design on the ceiling shows this place took time and money to build. A few of us came here for the Cleveland Orchestra Bach St. John's Passion and it was one of the best things I've experienced. Saying I was impressed by the orchestra, choir, and opera singers would be an understatement. Peaceful yet lively- it's a perfect place for all kinds of special events, date night, birthday, anniversary or girls night. It should most certainly be on the top of a Clevelander's bucket list. read more

Severance Hall - Music Venues Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

I love this place. Besides the fact that it is gorgeous, there is always beautiful music being made here. Even if you're not a fan of "classical" music, Severance will offer something to you. Check it out. It is a must if you live in CLE. We're blessed with such a beautiful space and an even more with one of the best orchestras in the world. read more