Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

We're at the CSO almost every weekend and it's always a great experience. This year especially has been interesting as they've been rotating through visiting conductors and have split the season up between a few different creative directors. The shows are always incredible and an educational experience.

I highly suggest you get there early for the classical conversation before the show. You'l be given background on the conductor, guests and the pieces being performed that night and often the conductor will take time to answer an array of questions.

If you have the chance participating in tweet seats brings an even broader appreciation for the pieces as you can read real time insights from the associate conductors back-stage. Whether it's a play by play of the story behind the music or historical notes about the piece and the composer, it add's a lot of interesting information to the performance. Think of it as real-time program notes.

If you haven't been definitely go, Music Hall and the CSO are true local treasures.

We have one of the best symphony orchestra's in the nation - it's over 117 years old - and so it deserves some much needed praise.
Last night was the CSO's sold out opening night with world renowned violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman both playing and conducting - this is something that doesn't happen every year or even every decade.  And what can I say other than the concert was spectacular and as always the orchestra was at its best. I've been going to the symphony for years to hear specific soloist/composers, as CSO always brings in the best - this year I finally made a 10 concert committment so I'll be able to branch out and go to some performances I normally wouldn't.
The cost varies greatly -anywhere from $10 for students and/or waiting for day of to $125 for box seats on certain occasions, but music hall has great acoustics so any seat in the house will have great sound, but sometimes if it's a pianist for example you may not be able to see their hands move from the nose bleed balcony section. Also people do complain about the small seats and tight spaces inbetween rows in the balconey sections being uncomfortable but Music hall will be renovated next year so hopefully they will work on that.
This year CSO is also looking for a new conductor/music director, we had Paavo Jarvi for the past decade (he was superb, sorry to see him go). So this year they will bringing in a slew of guest conductors and the creative directors have put together an excellent variety of performances and list of soloist for this year so it should be a very interesting season.
So if you've never gone before and you live in cincinnati it is definitely something to experience - especially since after this year CSO is moving to Taft threatre during the renovation - it should be interesting to see how much music hall changes. It is a great building in and of itself.

Attended a recent performance while in town for a little R&R. The facilities and staff were amazing. Beautiful concert hall and very attentive staff. They were very helpful in walking us to the will call and showing us to our seats.  This was my first time to the symphony and I really enjoyed it. I'm hooked!