Profound. World class. Elegant, bountiful, expressive and moving group of talented artists who express and create sound together in the most artistic of ways to produce living memories and expressions that remain with the audience long after the stage is clear and the lights are out - the soul remains full. read more

The Cleveland Orchestra is a true gem in Cleveland, and one of the Big Five Orchestras in the United States (I.e New York, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Cleveland). The concerts are at the beautiful Severance Hall as well as at Blossom in the summer. Although many people attend for the holiday concerts, summer series, and other modern performances, it is a real treat to go to the more classical programming as they often have other world class musicians performing with them, and it is a one of a kind experience to see in the beautiful Severance Hall. Additionally, they have significant discounted student tickets as well as a network, The Circle, that gives 20% off the regular tickets as well as in the gift shop. They also send a beautiful magazine once you join The Circle of upcoming performances. Could not recommend it more. read more

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The Cleveland Orchestra is a real Cleveland gem. Housed in Severance Hall, a beautiful location perched on the edge of the Case Western Reserve University campus in University Circle, the Cleveland Orchestra has some interesting programing and top notch players/conductors. We recently attended the Scheherazade performance and were not disappointed. Additionally, The Cleveland Orchestra is great about giving reduced price tickets to students. As a Case Western Reserve University student (undergraduate, graduate, professional), you are eligible for $15 dollar tickets that are released the week of the performance. We were able to snag ~$100 seats for $15 each, a phenomenal deal if you're living on a graduate student stipend! This is a great excuse to get dressed up and enjoy some fabulous music! read more

The Cleveland Orchestra - Beautiful concert hall - Performing Arts Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Severance Hall is beautiful. The Orchestra is fabulous. I love that you can hear every note, and they are crystal clear. During intermission we walked to the top level and viewed the stage. It's stunning. The front section of the upper level is called the Dress Stage. That is historically the priciest section, and the attendees would dress in their ultra best. This was the place to be seen. Inside, elevators are available. I suggest buying a garage parking ticket ahead of time. Check the website for future performances. read more

We attended the Christmas concert on Dec 11. As usual the performers were stupendous, but the chorus was MASKED! My wife and I have been singers for many years (mainly in church), and I can't imagine how one sings with a mask! The music was wonderful, but the vocals were muted to the point of distraction! What's the point? If you can't sing, don't have a chorus! Had we known that the vocals would be masked, we wouldn't have attended! They did the best they could, but for political reasons, they were handicapped. read more

Clearly one of the best in the United States for venue and sound. Both the concert locale (Severance Hall) and the orchestra are exquisite! We've attended a number of Cleveland Orchestra performances at Severance Hall, the last of which was Mozart Piano Concertos 9 & 21 with Mitsuko Uchida who absolutely rocked a piano like no man's business! The best way I can describe why the Cleveland Orchestra rates far better than many others is this. Other area orchestras we've witnessed such as Toledo and Pittsburgh know their music well and are technically proficient at performing them. However, the Cleveland Orchestra goes beyond just playing the notes correctly. They bring a refined softness, expression, and depth to the music. And their musical unity is so spot-on that when a section plays a note you don't hear more than a single instrument. Amazing! This jewel is absolutely one of the only reasons why we come to downtown Cleveland! read more

The Cleveland Orchestra - View from Dress Circle (upper balcony), off-center right, 2nd row. - Performing Arts Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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The annual Christmas concert with the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall is a must see event for any music lover in Northeast Ohio. Severance Hall overlooking the Reflecting pond at the Cleveland Museum or Art is simply stunning in the tradition of the classic European grandeur with a beautiful Art Nouveau twist. The interior decorated for Christmas is picture perfect while the acoustic quality of the Hall resonates with a warmth of tonal quality. The Christmas concert is a well balanced mix of holiday standards and some obscure pieces that meld into a delightful collection. The traditions of the concert (No spoilers will be reviled for the first time visitors) are wonderful touchstones that you'll be looking forward in experiencing and possibly participating in. If you have ever attended this concert you'll know the joy of the experience. If you have never been to Severance or seen the Orchestra make a point of going. It doesn't matter if your a rocker, country fan or what ever your music taste might be, you'll enjoy the show. read more

The Cleveland Orchestra - Performing Arts Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Where to begin? My wife and I went to see the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall recently. I haven't been to Severance Hall but once, and that was during a fourth grade field trip. So I've been looking forward to visiting again for quite some time. Severance Hall is just beautiful. You have to see it! The architecture and marble finishes are just amazing. And the theater, astounding! It's worth the $100 or so that you pay for a decent seat, but then again, I don't think there is a bad seat in this house. The Cleveland Orchestra has an amazing sound, especially when playing at Severance Hall. I enjoy listening to classical music and to see it live is just a heavenly experience for me. During our visit, Jun Märkl was the guest conductor, and Leonidas Kavakos was the guest violinist. Both were awesome at their respective crafts. Leonidas played with no music sheets the entire time, which was very impressive. I hope to visit more often. read more

Went to Severance Hall for a viewing of Nosferatu and while the black and white silent movie was more funny than scary, the organist did an outstanding job playing the organ. I did not realize how many different high and low sounds it could make! Sounds like a bunch of different instruments in one! Also love that the organist came out in an Indians hat to celebrate our first game in the World Series. Our seats were middle upper balcony ($40 each) and I must admit, we were a bit squished in and were not the most comfortable (honestly this probably had a lot to do with the older gentleman next to me manspreading aka: sitting with his legs wide open and having a total disregard for my personal space, and with the person behind me who kept hitting my seat), but I enjoyed the experience there so 2 hours of a sore butt wasn't that bad of a deal. However, if I had the money I would definitely be one of those ballers on the second floor in the box seating area! They have much nicer chairs and plenty of leg room. Staff was friendly and helpful. Plenty of bathrooms around. Elevators if you can't take the stairs. They have a concession stand if you would like a drink or some popcorn. You can pay for parking or do like we did and snag some street parking by L'Albatros, eat there then just walk 10 minutes to Severance Hall. I have also seen the Cleveland Orchestra perform the score for Indiana Jones at Blossom Music Center and it was awesome. It's a really great atmosphere for families or a date; you can curl up under a blanket on the hill and enjoy a picnic while taking in the wonderful entertainment! (Parking and traffic is a hot mess, but I don't mind). Would definitely recommend checking out the Cleveland Orchestra wherever they are performing! read more

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What a great place for a concert. On my birthday weekend, I decided to take my parents to see the Cleveland orchestra. I bought incredibly cheap tickets to go see Stravinsky's Firebird, as part of the Cleveland orchestra family concert. When I first walked in (and walked in rather easily, with no crowds), I was awed at the architecture of Severance Hall. What a gorgeous artistic hall. When I actually entered the actual hall where the orchestra plays... I was amazed at how beautiful it was. Yes, it's small, but it's so pretty and the sound is so good inside the hall, I wish I lived next door, so I could hear the orchestra all the time. In addition, the Cleveland orchestra is spectacular- they have amazing balance....one of the best I have ever heard. Minus the fact that family concerts consist of a little kid behind you screaming, "but mommy, where's the BIRD?!!", seeing the orchestra and just being in the hall is well worth it. read more

Truly one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever been in. The art deco ceiling of the concert hall is so mesmerizing that you will have to remember to listen to the music. I heard Carmina Burana here on April 13, and it was spectacular. I sat in the balcony and I don't believe it made any difference in terms of the sound or my ability to see the musicians. The seating is well-designed, though close together. I think that an overweight person would have problems with these seats. But, that is just advice, not a complaint really. The seat was comfortable. The only disadvantage to sitting farther back is that you are occasionally distracted by other concert-goers. Being a former singer, I really appreciated the soloists and choir. They were spot-on. The children's choir did a great job as well. I will definitely be returning for more shows, especially if I have out of town guests. I attended with some people who had seen the same piece performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and they said that Cleveland's performance was much better. It made us proud to have such a wonderful orchestra in Cleveland. read more

I am not a classical music junky but I enjoy a great or unique experience and the Cleveland Orchestra is awesome. People that know, say that this is one of the finest, I'll take their word for it. I enjoyed the elegance, fine music, and beautiful Severance Hall. We were at the Mozart Children's performance and I found the best part was how approachable they made Mozart and the Orchestra to both young and old. I'm not sure I'll crank up Bach or Beethoven when working out but I will recommend anyone in the area to check out a performance, you may just see me there. read more

Bravo, bravo! I love the Cleveland Orchestra. Conductor Franz Welser-Most is slated to stay until 2018, which is good news for us because he is also the Director of the Vienna Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera) and other ridiculously amazing musical appointments. Did you know that the Cleveland Orchestra is the only U.S. orchestra to play in the Musikverein? The Orchestra is world-class as one of the top 5 of the U.S.! We are sitting on a total gem in this city. If only we cheered the Orchestra on as we did our sports teams! As a young musician, I listened to Cleveland Orchestra recordings to understand the feel of the music. I definitely have a special connection to this Orchestra, esp now that I love this city! Severance Hall is beautiful. I really like Ferdinand H's description: "Severance Hall's seating area is actually quite intimate. The lighting and architecture really recalls the days of big steel and the type of opulance that the roaring 20s possessed. The lighting coupled with the amazing resonance really knocked my socks off." One of my favorite places to listen to the Orchestra is during its Blossom Festival. I've been there every weekend now for picnics on the lawn during the concert. It's quite indulgent to be able to lie down under the stars in a national forest and listen to a world class orchestra play. Some of the notable works that I've heard were Beethoven's Violin Concerto (with Gil Shaham -- knocked my socks off), Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet, Shostakovich Symphony No. 5, Mahler, etc. I can't wait to listen to more. On weekends like John Williams' tributes, Blossom is packed with close to 20,000 people in attendance. We were taken to another place while we sat on the lawn listening to soundtracks. The acoustics there are very bright and flow out over the lawn. If you can't already tell, I love the Cleveland Orchestra! read more

Severance Hall is one of the most breathtakingly gorgeous buildings in all of Cleveland. After its epic restoration in 2000, its beauty is unmatched. Lotus blossoms bloom all throughout the architecture, lighting, and decoration of the rooms, which include a grand foyer, chamber hall, and concert hall. Supposedly, the lotus was a favorite of Mrs. Severance, whom the building is dedicated to. The incredible silver pattern on the ceiling of the main hall is a nod to the lace on Mrs. Severance's wedding dress. From the red marble columns of the grand entryway, to the small screw immortalized in the marble floor by the staircase, the building exudes opulence and a 1920s sense of grandeur. This is the sort of building that makes you utter "They don't make buildings like this anymore," no matter your age. These intricate details would be nothing, however, without the incredible acoustics to support a world-class orchestra. The Cleveland Orchestra is a globally-renowned orchestra, whose pianissimo is so soft, you are afraid to breathe too loud lest you interrupt the performance. Their full range and dynamic color is put on display in this incredible space, and even at the very top of the balcony, against the back wall of the auditorium, you can hear the nuance and character of the softest moments in the symphony. In fact, the sound up there seems to be crisper, more blended and full the further back you sit. I was often relegated to the back for the student discount tickets, but quickly realized that I was getting the best acoustics in the building. I have seen so many memorable concerts here, from the exciting Beethoven's fifth when Franz had an ear infection and James Gaffigan had to fill in at the last minute, to partially staged operas like Duke Bluebeard's Castle and Der Rosenkavalier, to Janacek's Sinfonietta, to Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique and the striking Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind by Osvaldo Golijov. If you work at, attend, or visit Case, CIM, CIA, The FPB School of Nursing, the medical school, the law school, or any institution on University Circle, you must not deny yourself the experience of attending a Cleveland Orchestra concert at Severance Hall. read more

This is more than a five star event. I would highly recommend going to see the Cleveland Orchestra any time. You will be overtaken with the best Classical Music anywhere. The Hall, The Music Director, Musicians and the experience will be something you long remember. I have saved all of my programs for many years and still love reading through them and cherishing the memories. Find your favorite kind of Classical Music and plan to attend once and you will be a fan for life. Don't forget the Summer's at Blossom. Still a remarkable evening whether you are on the lawn or in the Pavilion. read more

The Cleveland Orchestra is today possibly the finest symphony in America, with an absolutely gorgeous sound. Its rich recorded and performance heritage has continued through musical directors George Szell, Lorin Maazel, Christoph van Dohnanyi, and now Franz Welser-Most. Severance Hall, their jewelbox of a concert center, has been beautifully restored and offers the acoustic support the orchestra deserves. www.clevelandorchestra.com read more

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There is no finer orchestra that exists within the United States, if the world. I haven't been to London or Vienna, but from the performances I have experienced, the Cleveland Orchestra takes the music to a level unimaginable. I saw Mitsuko Uchida, Marc Hamelin, Brahms guest conduced, the film composer John Williams, and several other performances this season but it was the last concert which was part of the Prometheus series that made me leave imagination to find the reality of how music should perform to an audience. Franz Welser-Most took the ninth symphony and gave it a performance that only the best could perform. Beethoven's 9th symphony is what motivated to begin to refine my skills at the piano when I was very young and appreciate classical music when Backstreet Boys and Brittany Spears dominated. The 'Ode to Joy' became the foundation of my skillset and basis of what music is. I have listened to this performed by almost every composure possible through YouTube and keeping an eye open on programs when I am traveling. Always shocking but that doesn't begin last Friday. The first pieces were Franz showing that he has complete control of the music, his rhythm and movement demanded that he be commanded as the music had to be right. Then begun the 65 minute Ninth Symphony. The piece told the story of camaraderie and perseverance that several authors have documented the piece being predicated upon and then mov 4. The choir reaching its point with unfounded accuracy to the tempo of the jubilant sounding. If you do not get to see the Cleveland Orchestra under FW-M, it is hard to say your experience of Beethoven or live performances of music has not reached its potential and you really should get to Cleveland. It is the simply, the best. read more

Great orchestra, GORGEOUS building. I'm not a huge classical music fan or expert, but even I could appreciate how good this orchestra was. Aside from the quality of the music, the intermission was well timed in both placement in the performance and in length. People wore all sorts of clothes, ranging from jeans and a sweatshirt to suits, so don't worry about being out of place! read more

I had a discussion with my musician friend about the top symphonies/orchestras in the United States awhile ago and he told me that Cleveland is consistently one of the best. During the holidays, my cousin wanted to see Lea Salonga who was part of the Colors of Christmas concert with the Cleveland Orchestra, so I jumped on the opportunity. First off, Severance Hall is beautiful and was just amazed by the architecture. The acoustics was great also. The orchestera itself was great. I could tell it wasn't the full ensemble, but it was still a wonderful experience. Now I want to see Chicago Symphony when I head back home. read more

I had a great time at Severance Hall a couple weeks back, listening to a rendition of Les Escale, as well as Lang Lang perform in his usual flamboyant style. Severance Hall's seating area is actually quite intimate. The lighting and architecture really recalls the days of big steel and the type of opulance that the roaring 20s possessed. The lighting coupled with the amazing resonance really knocked my socks off. During the first movement of Les Escale, I was really blown away by the sound of their string section moving so easily through the light hearted, playful passages. I really felt like I was sailing into gentle sunbeams under a moody summer sky. The Hall is steeped in history... you can feel that the place is cared for. I'm really looking forward to my next visit. read more

Warm summer nights under the star-lit sky with wine enjoying the Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom turns otherwise dreaded Sunday evenings to Heaven. read more

I've only been to Severance Hall for the orchestra once, but can't wait to go back! The building is beautiful, the acoustics are excellent, the musicians are among the best in the world, and the staff were very kind. Great beer (Great Lakes), but at stadium prices. Go and support the orchestra! read more

Severance Hall is one of the most beautiful looking and sounding concert halls in the world. The Cleveland Orchestra is one of the finest performing ensembles around. It's a match made in heaven. It is such a humbling experience to just sit in this hall. My favorite seats are in the very top row. The sound is absolutely amazing anywhere in the hall, but I have a special fondness for the nosebleeds. If you have not checked out Severance and The Cleveland Orchestra, you are missing an amazing experience. Go see them at Blossom during the summer months! read more

My sister got married in the Grand Foyer at Severance Hall. What a brilliant idea for a non-denominational ceremony! First of all, the building is gorgeous. They've put a lot of time and money into restoring the building and it really shows. The staff and event coordinators were all extremely helpful. We realized at the rehearsal that the chairs were going to need to be rearranged and they started on it before we even left. We were told we would have one hour for the rehearsal but they were very accomodating when we ran over by nearly 45 minutes. The entire experience was phenomenal. read more

I have been lucky enough to listen to symphonies throughout the United States and the Cleveland symphony was quiet good. I had enormous expectations, since I hear the Cleveland symphony on the radio often. Everything was played well. I listened to two pieces by Hungarian composers and Beethoven's Emperor Concerto. Although everything was played well, it lacked a certain emotion. There weren't as many captivating musical dynamics that I expected from this highly rated symphony. Still, if you are visiting Cleveland then this is a must see. This is considered one of the best symphonies in the US and maybe the world. Severance hall is acoustically well built and the seating is arranged wonderfully. No matter where you sit the view and sound are fine. It is a rather small symphony hall, which I prefer. read more

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Cleveland Orchestra is about as good as it gets. The programs are often diverse, and they play them well. The student discount program is hard to beat - as a student at nearby Case Western, it makes it easy for me to frequent their concerts for just $10 a ticket. Also, Severance Hall is beautiful, completing the experience you shouldn't pass up. read more

The Cleveland Orchestra is arguably one of the finest in America, and the world, today....and with good reason. If you haven't been out to experience this treasure sitting in our backyard, please go at some point. And I don't want to hear excuses of, "but I don't like classical music"...they have a wide variety of concerts available that may suit your tastes, just take a look at what they have to offer and get out there to try it just once! They even have small ensembles that go out to play at the Happy Dog...now that's accessibility ;o) My Christmas surprise before leaving home to Canada involved an early performance of the Orchestra's Christmas Concert before heading out to dinner. I can safely say that I think we've found a new Christmas tradition! Robert Porco conducted the Orchestra along with the Chorus (the adult version and the Children's Chorus) through classical, semi-classical and traditional Christmas songs and carols. The atmosphere was festive, with concert goers dressed to the nines....lots of red velvet dresses on little girls and sweater vests on young boys. Some of the highlights of the evening included the Twelve Days of Christmas that had audience members lined up at the microphones to sing "Five Gold(en) Rings" (some of them were even in tune and quite good!) and a sing-along version of Silent Night. Cleveland's first couple of theater, Reuben and Dorothy Silver, came on stage to regale us all with an orchestrated version of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.....I think everyone in the audience was brought back to their childhood with their magnificent reading. I will admit I was fighting back tears by the end of it.... If you have a yearning for a simpler, family-oriented Christmas that hearkens back to times of door-to-door caroling followed by Wassail and cider for the younger ones, this may be the event for you.... Our most recent outing came about because I love Stravinsky and they happened to be playing the Firebird Suite. And no, I didn't care that it was billed as a family concert and I didn't have a child to take with, I'm a big enough kid as it is! If you're looking to introduce your children to classical music, this is a great way to do it. The Orchestra has fun activities prior to the show, including coloring, a dance area where the kids could get up on the stage with members of the Cleveland School of Dance and an Instrument Discovery center where your little ones get the chance to pick up and get up close to those cool instruments they'll be seeing later on stage. The performance itself had pieces from Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev and Glinka, along with the aforementioned Stravinsky....but they were pieces that everyone has probably heard in snippets here and there in their lifetime (most likely in an advert on TV or in a movie). Assistant conductor James Feddeck made the afternoon entertaining, putting together a program that introduced all the kids in the audience (big ones included) to musical themes and stories; as well as to the different groupings of the orchestra, every section got the chance to introduce themselves....and apparently the percussion section has "the most fun"! The Orchestra was magnificent, taking everyone through the stories of each piece with grace and flourish, it was particularly fun sitting next to a little girl who I was afraid might fall out of the box because she was so engrossed with the music. Dancers from the Joffrey Ballet joined local dancers to bring The Firebird ballet to life.....my only complaint was that they rested on stage while my favorite and most intense part of the piece was playing....definitely no Black Swan, that's for sure! If you're worried about whether your kids will make it through a full-fledged concert, bring them to one of the dedicated Family Concerts here, the running time is around an hour, just perfect for little ones who might start to get a bit antsy after sitting quiet for a long period of time. The prices are also discounted to encourage people to bring their families, box seats are only $30, balcony is even cheaper....and no, there's not a bad seat in the house. The next Family Concert is Peter and the Wolf.....so if anyone wants to lend me their child for an afternoon, I'd be much obliged for the chance to not look so out of place! read more

As a semi-professional musician and have been trained for 80% of my life for music, I can say that the Cleveland Orchestra IS indeed on top of my ranking list. I have also lived in Chicago for a few years and I couldnt really tell a BIG difference between the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Cleveland Orchestra. I think given the location, it is very impressive that this orchestra is so successful right now. The music hall is just breathtakingly beautiful. I have been to 10+ concerts so far and there was no single concert that has let me down. One time, they had a jazz music event, called martini or something. It was one of the greatest experiences that I had with the fusion of classical and jazz music. Multiple music stars like Yoyo Ma and Joshua Bell have come to cleveland for performance as well. The players do rotate from time to time and yes minor errors are unavoidable but they are very minimal that I would not really frown on that. If you are a student, they have a student fan card, which you can get for only $50 for a whole year's concert, except special events. If you catch the sale season, which is usually the first month of September or something, you only need to pay $25 for the same card. You do need to go get the student ticket at least 1 hour before the concert. I usually go a day or two before the concert. Parking is a pain in the butt. The garage parking used to be $10 and now it's $11. Street parking is almost never available, unless you are willing to park somewhere that's 10 min away or get there 2 hours early. read more

Such a treat! Ranked as one of the best orchestras in the world, let alone the US. GREAT FOR STUDENTS; discounted ticket price of about $15 for great seats. I can't wait to go back! read more

One of the best Symphony Orchestra's in the world. A wonderful seasonal program filled with great musical artists, fantastic guest conductors, and many community programs and educational programs for everyone! The Student Advantage Program is a huge plus and a budget-friendly way to see performances. The Orchestra offers a bit of something for everyone. Friday@7 series are budget-friendly and very fun with free activities such a dancing and a free pre-concert show! Youth Orchestra performances are brilliant and start at $12 per ticket! This is a great place to explore the musical arts world. read more

Severance hall is absolutely stunning on the inside and it is worthwhile to arrive early just to look around. I went to see Joshua Bell with the Cleveland Orchestra on a Saturday night; I was late in purchasing tickets, so I ended up high in the balcony. I was worried about the seats, but I could still see the whole orchestra and the acoustics are fabulous, so I was able to hear everything well even in the nosebleeds of the balcony. The orchestra is world-class and Conductor Franz Wiser-Most is excellent; at the beginning, someone in the front was talking and he turned back to give a death stare prior to starting. Thus, one suggestion if you plan on going and sit within earshot of the orchestra is to not be rude and talk, unless you want the death stare unleashed upon you. I cannot wait to return and see them again. read more

Severance Hall is one of the most beautiful concert halls in the country, and Cleveland Orchestra is one of the best orchestras in the country. read more

I had heard the orchestra several times during their free 4th July concert on public square, but my first trip to Severance was just 3 Christmas seasons ago. Since going to that holiday show 3 years ago I decided to make it a Xmas tradition and in that light returned to Severance this year on 23 December. The building is beautiful at any time I'm sure, but Christmas is extra special. It looks rather royal all traditionally decked. It can be a bit confusing getting to your seat on your first visit I suppose but there are ushers all around to tell if you that stair or this elevator will take you to the right place or not. As for parking (for the Xmas shows at least) you can either prebuy a garage pass with your ticket ($14) or get there really early (about an hour) hoping there will be garage spots still available ($10). However after so many cars w/o passes are allowed in the garage they restrict the garage to pass holders only. If you don't make it in the garage you can park on the street or the lot across the street from Severance - it's not a far walk. Being in the garage is nice though because you can leave your coats in your car (a good idea because the seats are close together - take note tall people). As for the content of the Christmas show - the orchestra was great. They played familiar songs so if you are not a huge orchestra / classical fan this would be a painlessly wonderful introduction to the CLE Orchestra. They even do a cool sing-along thing with "The 12 days of Xmas" and a couple other songs which adds a bit of fun to the show. The time goes fast and the conductor is rather personable and chatty. Book your tickets early - shows, like tonights, sell out! read more

One of the best concert hall experiences of my life. Severance Hall is gorgeous and the Cleveland Orchestra is unbelievable. The orchestra was playing a selection of John Williams music. It was amazing to hear all of my favorite original scores (Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, ET, Star Wars) live! During the Star Wars suite they even had characters dressed like the characters come onto the stage and reenact scenes from the movie. A little cheesy but totally okay because its Star Wars and when it comes to Star Wars, anything goes. Best part? I can take the HealthLine from my apartment downtown and get dropped off right in front of the Hall. Great music, cheap transportation and a consistently great show. Bravo! read more

New to Cleveland and my boyfriend and I were invited to the "Home Alone" Christmas performance! We didn't know quite what to expect but it was such a great holiday event! We both enjoyed it and look forward to attending in the future! read more

Having benefited from YELP reviews a number of times, today is my day to "give back" and write a few more about our many treasures in Cleveland such as our world-renowned orchestra. Also, having traveled many places, I've come to recognize even more how lucky we are to live in NE Ohio where so much of high quality is so readily accessible. Our Cleveland Orchestra is fantastic and my husband and I are thrilled to avail ourselves of their concerts at both Severance and Blossom on a frequent basis. We think it is great that the orchestra has done so much in the last five years to reach out to different ages with a variety of venues and different programming. We have a bias for Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Poulenc, Barber, etc and not-so-seldom heard cello concertos. (Please, no more Dvorak cello concerto performances as beautiful as that concerto is. How about Kabalevsky- Cello Concerto no. 2 instead?). We also realize that war horses like Beethoven and Mozart Symphonies are a "must" and also appreciate being exposed to some contemporary composers such as John Adams. Acknowledging that others love the war horses and that we need exposure to more contemporary composers, next season perhaps more not-often heard programming (in keeping with some of our preferences) will be offered. With all this said, we know you can't please everyone all the time and the Cleveland Orchestra is doing a lot to appeal to a variety of ages and musical tastes. Do go - we owe them our support and you will be doing yourself a favor! read more

I love the orchestra. It is so nice to be able to sit down in a beautiful hall, listen to amazing music, and be absolutely inspired. They also have fun friday night events prior to concerts that are just a blast! I highly recommend going while you're in town! read more

Half of the clowns who make fun of "flyover country" haven't even heard of Szell. Learn the basics.

Really enjoyed the performance the orchestra was awesome as was the building. Being that I'm no expert in this type of musical and only have slight interest however it did keep my attention.. I give it a 10, well done! read more

What a lovely building! And the concert we went to was also very good- acoustics were fine in Severance Hall.- no bad seats. They have a gift show with postcards and other memorabilia. Tickets were expensive- and we later learned there is a discount card for some events from a local visitor bureau, including for some Severance Hall events- 30% off. Check your hotel for a ticket if you just want to attend a concert with short notice. I booked online- since the concert was very popular. read more