How to Hear the Cleveland Orchestra

The Cleveland Orchestra, founded in 1918, is ranked among the finest symphonies in the world. In fact, "New Yorker Magazine" called it the "finest in America" in 2005. Under the direction of Franz Welser Most, the Orchestra performs most weekends between October and May and periodic programs in the summer months.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Plan a trip to Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland, on the shore of Lake Erie, is easily assessable via air from all over the east coast and Midwest. In addition, Cleveland is within driving distance of Pittsburgh, Detroit, Columbus and many other Midwest cities.

2. Buy Tickets. Tickets to the Cleveland Orchestra are available via telephone, mail, or via their website. Single tickets and multi-performance subscriptions are offered. The orchestra plays at Severance Hall from October through May and at Blossom Music Center from July through September.

3. Savor Severance Hall. Severance Hall, located in Cleveland's University Circle cultural district, was completed in 1931, a gift of Standard Oil executive, John L. Severance. The 2100-seat Neo-classical concert hall was restored in 1998 and features near-perfect acoustics.

4. Enjoy music under the stars at Blossom Music Center. The Orchestra's summer home is Blossom Music Center, located south of Cleveland adjacent to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. This outdoor amphitheater offers pavilion (covered) seating as well as affordable lawn seating. Food and wine are available for purchase.

5. Hear the Orchestra for free at public concerts. The Cleveland Orchestra performs several free public concerts throughout the year. The most popular of these is the Independence Day concert held at Public Square in downtown Cleveland the weekend following July 4th. The concert of crowd favorites is followed by a fireworks and laser show.

Resources

• Purchase tickets to the Cleveland Orchestra.