Orchestra Hall

Professional staff: classy but not at all pretentious. Friendly and helpful. Overpriced drinks so be warned, but it is nice to enjoy a glass of white wine during the performance.
The Minnesota Orchestra is tops. I have been mesmerised by some of their shows. I love it when a performance just leaves me in awe, unable to form words, and this orchestra can do it.

I attended a wedding here a few weeks ago (summer 2015) and it was the perfect space for a wedding. The building is surrounded by giant glass windows that look out over downtown. We could feel the energy from the surrounding nightlife, but couldn’t hear any of the noise through the glass.
The ceremony was held in a small room on the north side of the building. It was the perfect size for a wedding of approximately 200 people. After the ceremony we were ushered up to the mezzanine for a cocktail hour. They had two bars set up, and indoor/​outdoor seating. The upper balcony was a nice place for family photos. For dinner, we were escorted back downstairs into the foyer. Everything was elegantly decorated. Dancing was in the same room where the ceremony was held. They also had the patio open with an outdoor bar.
The staff and facilities could not have been better. There were plenty of bathrooms (at least three sets) and friendly staff to point you in the right direction. Even though everything was in one building, it was nice to move around throughout the evening.
If you are in the market for a wedding/​event venue, I would highly recommend taking a look at this space!

There are good concert halls, and there are great concert halls. Orchestra Hall is clearly in the latter. The acoustics are first-​rate, it’s a beautiful facility and the seating is convenient and comfortable. It’s the kind of place if the concertmaster is playing pianissimo tremolo by themselves during a spot in an orchestral piece and you’re in the back row, the cheap seats, guess what? You hear it. The lighting is elegant, the entire design is modern and it’s the kind of place you can get lost in a performance (as my daughter and I did last night).
Oh, and that bane of almost every single facility, the bathrooms when intermission comes? Yep, aplenty, well thought out, easy to find.
Even the lobby with it’s multi-​levels, gracious windows and ample bar space seems to have been designed by a team that knew what the hell they were doing. It was only the parking I didn’t experience.
Minneapolis, you’re damn lucky. I thought you should know in case you haven’t figured it out.

I went to Orchestra hall for the first time and saw Chris botti. it was so wonderful there seats r good I got to pick my seats and they started on time and no messing around parking was easy and cheap it’s going to be hard going back to massive concerts venues

I’ve now been to Orchestra Hall twice. It’s an absolutely beautiful place with such amazing opportunities to hear phenomenal music.
My first trip to Orchestra Hall was on a whim — I called the box office to see if they still had public rush tickets for day of seats about an hour before the show. I was able to get a front row seat in one of the boxes on stage left for $ 25 bucks. Seat was great — no obstructions, and price even better! Drink options were plentiful during intermission.
My second trip was the one my head is still reeling from. My husband surprised me with tickets to hear Handel’s Messiah last weekend for our anniversary. Guys — this concert is worth it’s weight in gold. Amazing performance by all — full choir, orchestra, and talented soloists flown in from around the world.
If my words didn’t express the love I had for the concert enough, my tears during the last few songs sure did.
I hope to make it an annual tradition to go see the messiah. AMAZING.
My only tips — when you leave, leave out the back entrance if you are seated on stage right (looking up at the stage, left side of the theater). If you try to use the side entrances, you will be waiting a LONG time to get out. All the doors feed into the same hallway as the back doors go into, you just have a longer route if you choose the side doors.

Wonderful performance by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with the great Wynton Marsalis. This was my first time attending and everything was absolutely perfect. The parking was convenient. Great staff. Cozy seats. The music was the best I’ve heard since my days in NYC.
Thanks to my Godmother, it was an unforgettable evening of jazz and holiday cheer.
We will be back very soon!

The new and improved orchestra hall has greatly upgraded the creature comforts. The seats are roomier and more comfortable than a Delta first class airline seat with much more legroom too. On second thought that may be far too low of a bar. In any case I’m happy with the upgrades and looking forward to tonight’s concert.

I like this fancy fancy place. It looks cool for one, but it’s also great for people watching. Did you really just wear stained jeans to an orchestra?
I ran across a ridiculous Groupon deal and took advantage of it so that I could take my grandma here. It was great to see her smile for the first half of the concert and then want to die for the second half. Crazy Looney Toons music wasn’t her thing, I guess. Love you, Grandma.
Anyway, getting here from St. Paul was a little confusing using google maps directions which deliberately get me lost every single time. But once we were parked using our land legs, all was well.
It wasn’t as extravagant of a building as I thought it would be but I was stoked about the coffee and wine bar. The wine was expensive but worth it to add to the experience.
The walls inside the orchestra room were 3D boxes protruding out all over the place. Definitely not my style, but it was still interesting. Our seats were in the 8^th row and at first I was excited to be so close, but then I realized that being that close meant only seeing the front half of the orchestra. It was a little disappointing yet still entertaining watching the violinists go crazy. I was in awe but still wishing I could see more.
It was a good experience and I am so glad I had the opportunity to bring my Grandma out for the night. I will definitely be back for future concerts.

First time to Orchestra Hall to see Chris Botti in concert. Everything about the experience was good. Tons of staff on hand to greet you and direct you to your seat. Mature audience. Decent seats.
If you, like I, are happy to avoid crowds, opt for the elevated box seats. They give an unobstructed view of the stage and you’ll have just a handful of people around you.
Obviously, the acoustics here are the big draw and boy, are they good. Crisp, clear sound ringing throughout the auditorium. We were happy campers.

I am a 60 year old photographer, a grandmother, and not a threat to security. Your security team has problems with photographers, early in the morning. I like taking photos at night and in the early morning hours but the two person security team has a problem with this. I would just like to remind everyone that so far its not a crime to take photos on public property or of local businesses. Seriously get over it. I am Not a threat to anyone.

Wonderful performances by the Minnesota Orchestra. Easy access parking in the ramp and then a brief walk through skyway into the Hall. Easy ticket pick-​up at their «Will Call» counter. All sorts of people milling about. Young, old, casual, dressy. Plenty of stalls in the womens’ bathrooms make for only brief waiting. Soon, the concerts will be held at the Mpls. Convention Center until the renovation of the Hall is completed; however, continue to use the same parking ramp and skyway access, albeit a different route.
Tip: do not bother going to your car parked in the ramp right after the concert. You’ll be idling for a long time while moving an inch at a time. Find something else to do for a good 30 minutes or so and then go to your car and begin exiting the ramp.

They’re re-​doing Orchestra Hall so it seems unfair to ding them on the architecture/​décor… but man, is it ever like stepping into the worst 90’s palette. I guess we’ll see what’s to come.
But: It is REALLY designed for sound. I mean… it’s a beautiful thing. I’ve been to the Ordway and similar venues, but Orchestra Hall has a gorgeous sound that’s better than those venues. I mean – duh. Their business is music, right?
Well, it’s not *just* music. My parents got some sort of season pass, and they’ve been «dragging» us kids to various performances. At first I was reluctant. I mean – I like music and everything, but how exciting can it be to sit there and watch a bunch of people play instruments? (I know, what a shameful thing to think – I was even in high school band!)
Turns out: 1. It’s pretty great, actually. 2. Despite being called «Orchestra Hall» you’re not always going to get a bunch of stuffed shirts wailing Beethoven on their violins. Sometimes you get a Scandinavian Christmas special (with sing-​along and a variety of performances – from operatic showcases, to dance, to newly composed holiday music, to traditional favorites) that is a heck of a lot of holiday fun. Sometimes you get Celtic Women singing beautifully. Sometimes you get the Dragon Acrobats from China performing truly incredible stunts (with no orchestra at all).
Orchestra Hall really has done a fantastic job of picking out a great selection of shows designed to draw in the wider public. They feature top-​notch musicians/​programs, and they have awesome preview days.
On-​street parking is fairly easy to get if you arrive early. It’s also really nice to be able to walk to so many restaurants afterward.

If you’re a music enthusiast and play an instrument, you’ll instantly feel the excitement of the performance. If you can’t feel the thrill of performing vicariously, then you’ll enjoy watching the conductor guide the orchestra, making a fascinating, classic show. I only wish the venue sees improvement and raises enough money to completely remodel the Hall so the beauty within the concert shows in its outward appearance.

The show I attended was 2hours long and featured samples from various shows that will be coming in 2012. With classical music, I love how the music tells a story and how quickly it changes from sweet and soothing to powerful and thrilling. So with a special offer through Groupon I was able to indulge in the experience.
Upon entering the hall, there were little bar areas set up offering a variety of alcoholic and non-​alcoholic drinks. There were also several tables where people could sign up for memberships and such. Overall, the lobby was bursting with energy prior to the show starting.
Initially when got into the auditorium, my thoughts were… it’s spacious. However, as soon as I sat down, I realized it really wasn’t. The seats are awfully close and compact and slightly uncomfortable. I’m the type of person that likes using the armrest, but the seats just weren’t conducive for that.
The orchestra did a great job and the conductor was very animated and entertaining (I just love how intense conductors typically get). Despite the seating issue, I really enjoyed the performance and I look forward to attending future performances.

I love going to Orchestra Hall, especially when we get two tickets for $ 10 for their sampler concerts. This is one of the best deals around. All you have to do is sign up for their e-​mail list to get notified when they have deals. The sampler concert is a full concert with different sample pieces from the upcoming season. The last sampler we went to was for their Classics, but my favorite is the Pops Series. We bought season tickets for 2010 – 2011 and have seen some great shows including hits from Frank Sinatra and Doc Severson’s Christmas concert.
Orchestra Hall is undergoing a renovation starting this summer so all concerts will be held at the Convention Center until 2012.

I had a chance to go to their winter sampler concert through Groupon. It was very affordable and we got to hear a little bit of everything they had going in the winter ’10. The conductor, who also hosted the event, was very pleasant. She explained each act very nicely and made all the audience feel welcome. I am looking forward to another event I can take mother to and get cultured. :)
One negative note though is that they cold call you like crazy after your first concert. They want you to buy the package deal of some sort. No thanks!

I love the Minnesota Orchestra and what better place to hear some of the best strings in town than Orchestra Hall? I love that this place is located in the heart of downtown. I mean, seriously, where else can you grab a pint at a British Pub and then crawl over to a live classical performance?
The hall space itself is amazing-​there are huge block like things on the walls that create the optimal environment for acoustics. I also love the abundant seating options available at nearly every price point and the beverage/​snack carts located throughout the lobbies. I don’t love climbing the stairs to get to my seat-​but it is a small price to pay for amazing nose bleed tickets.

Orchestra Hall is a weird-​ass building. Can we all agree on that? It looks like a glass-​encased LegoLand, designed by architects/​plumbers Mario and Luigi. Primary colors and oddly placed pipes don’t make one think «world-​class music hall,» but it IS a world-​class music hall.
OK, I’m done making fun of the architecture. Now for the great things about Orchestra Hall!
1. Peavey Plaza Sommerfest concerts: Outdoor music (pop, rock, jazz, Latin, etc.), beer, cheese curds, BBQ sandwiches, kid-​friendly, dog-​friendly
2. Accessibility: It’s walking distance from everything and connected by skyway to the rest of downtown. It’s also welcoming and accessible to all kinds of people, even those who don’t know anything about classical music. They have student discounts and programs to involve a younger audience too.
3. Music: I had the pleasure of seeing the spry Brazilian guitarist Gilberto Gil and the international jazz group Pink Martini here. The acoustics are incredible for any style of music, whether you’re seeing one of the visiting musicians or the resident MN Orchestra.

Went with my significant other to a show a few weeks back — the student discount amounts to a great price (not sure exactly what as I didn’t do the ordering, but I think around $ 10?). We ended up meeting a couple that we knew there, and while glancing around didn’t see anyone else in our age group. I suppose that is what happens when you get to a concert ridiculously early (bus transportation worked smashingly that evening!). We saw a surprising amount of younger (under 30) people there after the show though, which was uplifiting. The guest cellist they had was outstanding — he had an encore of an arrangement of «Somewhere Over the Rainbow», which was just beautiful.
All in all, I would definitely go again. I think the student discount is a great deal, and really encourages a younger generation to attend. I will miss it when I graduate in the spring *tears*. Yet another reason to attend grad school?

For Valentine’s Day I went out and had a nice dinner at Barbette’s. I also drank half a bottle of wine. As someone who can’t break down alcohol, this is a big deal.
Later in the evening, I vaguely remember stumbling into Orchestra Hall for the Vänskä Conducts Sibelius series. Everyone there was dressed up all fancy-​like. This place is serious business.
According to the MN Orchestra website, this concert series was about «music to embolden the northern spirit in midwinter… Nielsen’s Fifth is the rush of a toboggan ride through mountains and pines; Sibelius’ Second rallied his countrymen to rise against the glowering Russian bear.» Sounds pretty good, right?
Unfortunately, I never got past Nielsen’s Fifth. I woke up at intermission, drooling on my date’s shoulder and the elderly couple to our right glaring at me.
«Why are they looking at me like that?» I asked my date, who replied:
«You were snoring.»
Heeey, time to go home.
While my time at Orchestra Hall was cut short, I did admire the good acoustics of the music hall and the student discount, which reduces all tickets to ten bucks.
I am determined to return someday soon and get my dose of classical music.