Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Categories: Performing Arts, Music Venues [Edit]
Neighborhood: The LoopSymphony Center
220 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60604 (312) 294-3000
- Nearest Transit:
Monroe (Blue, Red)
Madison/Wabash (Orange, Brown, Purple Express, Green, Pink)
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Happy Hour: No
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
- Smoking: No
- Coat Check: Yes
25 reviews
Neighborhood: Near North Side
"This is, hands down, my new favorite place. I would hang out here every day if it could be guaranteed that I wouldn't become a full-fledged…" read more »
45 Reviews for Chicago Symphony Orchestra
I have only seen Joanna Newsom here and I seriously sat there in aw, also thinking why in the world don't I come here more often. The theater itself is stunning, the musicians are extremely talented, and the sound quality is superior to most venues. I really don't think that there is a bad seat in the house but I like sitting up close anyways. Everything about the performance was simply beautiful (that's right I sheded one man tear). I must come here for the CSO.
P.S. I am going to kick the crap out of boy wonder who wrote a 1 star review.
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BOOOOO. I never thought i would find real people playing instuments so boring but here it is. I began to dance in my tight rubber suit which definetely deserves credit but got none. skrew this place
If only I could have given out more stars!!
Run, run, run to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra next time Yo-Yo Ma is in town. HE IS AMAZING!!!
Note: If you can sit close to the stage when he is there all the better. He has the best facial expressions when playing!
The auditorium is beautiful and has spectacular sound quality. I have attended so sporadically over the years and each time I go I vow to go more often, but this time I mean it!
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Used to come here in High School.
A really cool building with cooler things going on inside.
More young people should go out of their way to check this out.
The CSO is as good as it gets. Time it so that you can sip a drink at Rapsody before then stroll into the preconcert lecture and leasurely find your seat. Then close your eyes and enjoy.
I've had the delightful pleasure of the couple next to me making out during the first half and thankfully getting a room for the rest so that I could enjoy the concert. I think they were a bit disarmed tho when I actually turned and watched them for a few minutes. I figured they wouldn't care, after all they were the two making out in public and I, just one of the public was watching. Is that so wrong?
Generally, the musicians are the show and rarely fail to delight.
Put your big girl and boy clothes on and get your culture on.
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I wasn't to thrilled to go here, but boy I am sure glad I did! It's beautiful and I am now a fan! Will be going more often.
Probably the reason I'm dating my boyfriend :) Romance is not dead.
I actually took myself on a date here 2 years ago to see Hubbard Street perform Stravinsky's "the Rite of Spring" and it was so lovely.
Go. Learn something about real music.
I'll admit it: I have a crush on Shostakovich.
It's true, so when I found out the CSO was doing his 4th, I was giddy. When I found half-price tickets on Goldstar, I was even more giddy. When I walked to my seat, I was the most giddy one could be while still being just "giddy" [third row, almost center].
When they played.... sigh.
It's so difficult for me to really let go of everything, to just focus on the present; even at shows I really like, I find myself thinking, "When this is over..." Not so when the CSO plays. The passion they put into the music definitely radiates tenfold.
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I didn't really know that liked the symphony...until I actually went. A totally mind blowing experience. I highly recommend you try it out! And the Center is amazingly beautiful too. This makes for an all around classy night!
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CSO is absolutely amazing. I have seen them twice and both times were wonderful and just outstanding. I first saw them a few years ago accompanied by Barack Obama, who did a speech to them playing as a tribute to September 11. I recently got the chance to see them again on Corporate Night, this time accompanied by Kristin Chenoweth.
They are people who clearly love their music and love sharing their music with others. You can feel that they are head over heels in the fact that they are doing that they love and letting others enjoy it as well.
I would love to see them again and again. Luckily, they gave out CDs of some of their music so I can at least listen again and again.
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I recently went to the CSO for the first time. I was lucky to see them and their guest conductor perform one of my favorite pieces (Symphonie Fantastique by Hector Berlioz). Awesome performance! The other two pieces they played were performed well, but not my cup of tea.
The symphony center is beautiful, but the seats are tiny. You like to complain about coach/economy class airline seats? You'll have a ball complaining about these seats and their non-existent legroom.
Other than the size, there isn't a bad seat in the house. I was in the 2nd to last row in the top level and could see and hear everything. What's cool is that there are even seats 15 feet above and behind and to the sides of the orchestra.
A viewing of the CSO ranks up there with going to Wrigley, checking out the lakefront, eating a Chicago hot dog, etc. -- it is a Chicago experience definitely worth doing.
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CSO is accessible to all, as it should be. Even if you don't think that "classical is your thing," I encourage you to give it a try, at least once. I believe something good happens to your brainwaves. For me, it's like taking a cerebral warm and rocking bath. Maybe you will want to come back twice, thrice...Even, more---and support this important local business. Yes. They are a business. They also seem to be highly supportive of musicians of all-ages---which is admirable, and perhaps you would like to support them back. What I enjoyed is that many of this talented group are glad to meet you afterwards and chat about many things, but mostly about what they love best, their music.
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Are you kidding me?
Leave the unwashed seething masses and enjoy the best cultural landmark in the midwest. There are orchestras with "different" sounds, and some people prefer other string sections (Berlin...) or feel that the CSO has a "heavy handed" brass section. Those opinions are akin to those who prefer Cabs over Zins. Simply stated, there may be different tastes in orchestras, but there is none greater in the United States, or possibly in the world, today.
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There is nothing quite like taking in a symphony in Chicago. It's unlike the Kennedy, Carnegie, or any other symphony hall I've been to. The hall has an old European feel to it even though it was just remodeled fairly recently.
I was disappointed this past Saturday to see many empty seats near where we sat, even though the soloist was perhaps one of the best players of Mozart piano concertos in the world. She even conducted the orchestra as she played which was even more impressive. I have no idea of the financial health of the symphony but I hope the empties were due to some other factor than people starting to lose interest in this gem.
Do yourself a favor at least once a year and see the symphony. There are several marquee names that come through and many familiar/accessible pieces are played regularly. The cheaper seats on the upper balconies still have very good sound, and if you can swing for seats on the floor or lower balconies, do it. It's well worth it and you'll be on a "classical high" for several days.
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I've had an exceptionally brutal travel schedule the past couple of years. Not that I'm really complaining; the locales have been interesting, relaxing, fun, and intriguing.
Nonetheless, a brief opportunity to sit still in Chicago finds me anxious to get back to the symphony. It's beautiful, accessible, and world class. We have excellent seats, the acoustics are spot on, and the programming - diverse. Best of all, Mark-Anthony Turnage is a Composer-in-Residence.
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it was such a treat to go here tonight. A friend who was performing in the Civic Orchestra of Chicago let us know about a special sale they do for pre-sale where general admission seats are $1, so Z and I got those and donated a bit of money as well to go see her tonight. It was just gorgeous. We were on the second balcony and the sound was stellar. The place was nearly at capacity and there were only three empty seats that I could see! I definitely plan to come back here to see more concerts. Tonight they played Symphony No. 1 in D Major by Mahler. It was so fantastic. The performance made me want to pick up my alto saxophone for the first time in years.
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They rock Mahler like nobody's business!
A great place to listen to a concert, or a bunch of old people coughing.
beautiful, relaxing, and they offer cheap student tickets.
I don't go often enough, but you should.
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Everyone should experience this at least once! I honestly never knew the symphony was located here. It's tucked away amongst the many buildings on Michigan Ave.
The interior of the building itself is beautiful with intricate detailing throughout.
During the performance, I would close my eyes here and there and let the music guide me. Watching the different musicians is a treat on its own. I was in amazement throughout the performance and definitely hope to attend again
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The Chicago Symphony Orchestra affords one to cozy into the theatre with the guarantee of a "night to remember". While meandering the lobby with a chilled glass of champagne, the beauty abounds while you await the joy soon to follow. The anticipation of the joyous sounds and precision that will flow from each instrument is as Koizumi shares, "world class and beautiful". Stop the world for an evening so you may marvel at the conductors spirit as the notes jump from the pages Into the audience. Close your eyes and you will hear the absolute sound of unity as the evening is moving closer to the finale. BRAVO!!
I came back to Symphony Center for the first time in many years and LOVED it! The venue itself it beautiful. Combined with the amazing performance, it was truly a treat! My companion for the night had tickets on the terrace, which was a whole new experience. I could read the music that was in front of them, see their expressions, anticipate the timing of the percussion, and the best part - see the conductor's direction. The solo performance by violinist Hilary Hahn stole my heart!
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Oh!!!! I am so upset about my recent experience with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
I purchased tickets via there on-line ticketing service for the symphony last Friday night, and I received a receipt saying the tickets had been purchased, and my credit card charged. Well, Friday night I arrive at the will call counter to pick up my tickets and the attendant responded that they have no tickets under file for my name. I was quite shocked, but the will call attendant did not seem surprised in the least, stating that "the on-line ticketing service sometimes does not work appropriately, and the transaction does not go through as it is supposed to". Well, it seems to me that a properly functioning on-line ticketing service would be an important factor for a business like the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
While I was discussing my options for purchasing tickets at almost three times the price of the ones I had originally "thought" I had already purchased, a old, unhappy lady standing behind me tapped me on my shoulder and yelled at my with a hateful disposition asking me if I was about done already. I was shocked, not expecting to be treated with such little class at the CSO. She continued to badger me and complain as loudly as possible to everyone else in line about how long it was taking me to complete my transaction.
Although my getting yelled at in the will call line is not necessarily the fault of the CSO, I could not help to think that maybe there was a correlation to what happened. I hate to make rash generalizations, but it is a well known fact that the audience at the CSO tends to be older...much older. From my experience I would guess the average age of an attendee is in the low 60's. Many of these older people who frequent the CSO tend to have horrible attitudes and less than stellar dispositions. I would hate to think that one day I might become an old, bitter, and unhappy lady like the one who yelled at me in line. In the end, I only felt pity for this lady, whose only happiness probably comes from making other people (probably young people) unhappy.
The CSO really needs to attract younger people to the Symphony, and in order to do this, they really need to lose the stuffy, uptight attitude, which is often portrayed by the people in attendance. They need to start engaging young people now, so they learn to love classical music.
Yes, I will go back to the CSO because I love the symphony, but the next time I see someone my age standing in line to get in a loud club, which really is not my scene, I might better understand why. At least they don't have to deal with old stuffy people yelling at them.
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There online ticketing isn't always the best. I ordered tickets way in advance for Marilyn McPartland, received them in the mail, was very excited to go and finally see her, and found myself sitting behind a pole. A very large pole. The website said nothing about obstructed view, the tickets said nothing, but my view was indeed obstructed. It was a big ass pole! I got a krink in my neck from leaning over to see her play.
However, we went to go see Kieth Garret a couple of weeks ago and had wonderful seats.
Note to the woman sitting behind me. If you wear a skirt, please keep your knees together. I turned to look at the lovely decor and looked right up your skirt.
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If only I could live in this place....I would set up a tent in the lobby. So many amazing concerts, cutting edge programming, best of talent from around the world. Now why don't they let me through the basement to get autographs any more I'm not sure, guess somebody messed it up for all of us. A must for every cultural experience in Chicago.
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They don't let you in while the performance is going on, so you are able to watch from another room. So, I didn't make it on time to see Lundi Yi, but I was able to sit onthe second floor and watch them on a flat screen tv. This room is pretty fabulous with coffee and tea in the middle of the table. I think it's supposed to make you not feel so bad that you came in late. I was able to get to my seat during intermission, and it was pretty impressive. My seat was in the Lower Balcony, but there isn't really any bad seat in the place. If you are afraid of heights it wouldn't make sense to sit up in the balcony. I think I prefer sitting up in the balcony rather than the floor because it w as nice to see everyone. The ceiling and interior makes you feel like you are in such a different time and place. I think it looks kind of Victorian. It saddens me to see people so dressed down in jeans. I mean some people look like they could have put in a little bit more of an effort. I mean people dress up a little to go to any other type of concert. The Symphony was incredible and inspiring, and it made me nostalgic of my old days in the orchestra playing my violin in middle school. It amazes me how quiet the audience can be when the performance is going on, and when it ends everyone is coughing or letting out a breath. I was amuzed by the flautist, who's eyebrows moved while he was playing. If you like classical musical you will appreciate the performances and have a great time.
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I've been to a few charity events at the Symphony Orchestra Center and I must say that the venue itself is amazing. It's beautiful inside and the symphony shows are top notch. Going to the Symphony isn't something I do very often but I do feel that it's something everyone should experience at least once.
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Whether it be a solo performance or full-frontal-CSO, this venue is unbeatable. Gorgeous acoustics, relatively comfortable seating, and regular host to world-class acts.
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I love this place. There are always a wide variety of choices, and if you purchase a ticket package you can save a lot of money. I've been to other Symphony Halls and felt like I had to be so dressed up that I couldn't breath (girls you know what I mean, heels, nylons, dresses that aren't comfortable, etc.). Although I still look nice when I go, I don't feel like I have to be that fancy. It is not that stuffy of an atmosphere. I also like that you can get discounted tickets if you are a student on the nights of the performance. Sometimes you get unbelievable seats! I have yet to see a performance I did not like, and I really enjoyed the Ethnic variety that is offered as well.
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A friend of mine has season tickets here with his family, so as a music lover but a virgin symphony goer, he took me here.
I was blown away by the talent here & the pieces played were gorgeous. We had amazing seats & the soprano was top-notch.
However, I'm gonna just give 4 stars cuz ... I dunno ... I'm a rock & roll kinda girl. I just can't get into the symphony. I know that I shouldn't apologize for my opinion, but I can't help but get that "No no NO Niki! You're SUPPOSED to like the Symphony! If you don't, you're OBVIOUSLY uncultured!" feeling out of me.
I guess my point is, if you've never been, give it a go. You may love it. It's definitely worth experiencing & gives one a tremendous appreciation for the dedication these performers have for their craft. But if you don't love it, don't feel bad. Maybe it's just not your thing. Nascar's not my thing either, but hey - it still draws gazillions of people every race!
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One of my colleagues had some comp tix last week, so me and a buddy went and enjoyed a wonderful night of Debussy, Ravel, and Franck.
I don't get to the Symphony Center enough - shame on me.
Looking forward to going more often.
Love the acoustics, love the sightlines, love that great big CSO sound!
And, as me and my buddy noticed with every crane of our necks, love all those beautiful women all dressed to the nines! Gotta quit going to the symphony with male friends!!!!
I heard them play at Ravinia and they were great! The orchestra isn't usually my thing so I was really suprised by how much I enjoyed listening to this. I guess I'll have to go here very soon!
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I came here to watch a traditional Filipino dance performance here a couple weeks ago. I LOVED the intimate setting! The venue is big, but small enough to see pretty well from one of the back rows! It even seemed like you'd have a pretty good view from the balcony seats!
I had a great time at CSO, so now I'm looking for other performances to attend here!
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Being a student, this has to be by far one of the best Arts and Entertainment venues in Chicago. With the student discount you receive (just by showing a school id) you get cheap tickets. And the seats that we received were awsome in my opinion (the balcony on the side of the orchestra). Acoustically, there is not one bad spot in the theater, so basically there is no bad seat. So thats my review for the building.
When I went I unfortunately did not get to experience the whole CSO but from the about 20 members that played it sounded really good. I can't wait to go to a show where most, if not all the orchestra is playing(I'm not sure if every member plays at one time).
If you have yet to see the CSO, I recommend you at least see it once. And if your on that budget keep the student discounts in mind.
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I can remember coming to Symphony Hall when I was a little girl with my parents. I always had the greatest time here! As I got older, I was fortunate to see Sir George Solti, and John Williams conduct here. It's absolutely amazing inside, and no matter what is on the program, I always enjoy myself here. I highly recommend coming here, even if you aren't a huge classical music fan, as they have music from all types of genre.
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Awesome concerts here. I like to pick random concerts with artist from different countries - I saw Youssou n Dour, a singer from Senegal, the norwegian symphony and shubert. All the seats are fantastic even if you sit in the nose-bleed section. The CSO overall is a beautiful place but there usually aren't a lot of younger people but it's definitely worth going.
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One of the best orchestras in the world. Support the CSO!
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Even if you are not a classical music expert, you may want to visit the Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center. They also have non-classical concerts, usually on the jazzy side. We sat way up in the nosebleed seats to see Los Lobos in the Orchestra Hall, but they sounded great. Every year there is a free music day featuring an eclectic variety of performers in several parts of the complex.
The CSO is a beautiful place to listen to beautiful music. You can find some shows that are free and the prices are very reasonable to listen to some great compositions. Go for the day of free music and activities. Its always in the summer.
Orchestra Hall is fantastic. The acoustics are superb and the entertainment choices are world-class. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra makes its home here, but there are many classical solo recitals and smaller ensembles. Catch other genres here too - all of them. Legendary WXRT DJ Terri Hemmert puts on the Classic Encounters series every season, which I personally have not seen yet but I hear is worth checking out: http://www.cso.org/mai... for more information and tickets. 'Where rock meets Bach' - they discuss classical composers in the context of rock music, then the CSO performs some of the pieces to illustrate the lecture concepts.
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