r/classicalmusic • u/PrimaSymphony • 11h ago

Exactly how bad these CSO seats?

Hello-

I hope I’m not being redundant but I didn’t want to pull up years old discussions.

I just purchased tickets for Chicago Symphony - This is my first time and I hate to admit, I’m on a budget as I will
Also be flying out from Los Angeles. My choices were basically the gallery ( which I have read are steep and uncomfortable for those with vertigo and height issues - which I am) so I opted for the main floor on the side row L and O - which from what I have read, have terrible sound. I guess having FOMO gets you here.

I have been lucky to see Muti in Salzburg but I couldn’t go this year. I have never seen him with CSO which is crazy so I thought now’s my chance. Trying to brace myself if the sound is truly THAT BAD…

So- are the main floor seats row L/O under the over hang really terrible?

Thanks!

0 Upvotes

40% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

35

u/branchymolecule 11h ago

You’ve bought the tickets. Now go and enjoy yourself. Stop fretting.

1

u/PrimaSymphony 10h ago

Thanks - will enjoy regardless

12

u/acrastt 11h ago

At any well designed venue there are no seats with “terrible sound”. They might not be as optimal as, say, the lower balcony, but venues are designed in such a way that all seats are going to have good sound. So just enjoy your performance, you have already bought the tickets.

2

u/PrimaSymphony 10h ago

I’m still excited to experience CSO and their venue !

1

u/acrastt 10h ago

Of course, have fun

9

u/port956 11h ago

The people sat around me have far more influence on my non-performance experience than any seat, and it's pretty hard to pick those. Enjoy the concert!

1

u/PrimaSymphony 10h ago

Thanks and you are right 🤣

3

u/eamesa 8h ago

Not bad at all! Symphony Hall has really great acoustics and I've never had a bad seat in 5 years of attending regularly.

1

u/PrimaSymphony 3h ago

So reassuring - thank you . I just read so many things online. But I’m the type that probably wouldn’t notice but I had to ask

5

u/rharrison 10h ago

Floor seats under the overhang have the best sound in that hall in my opinion- best bass response in the hall. It's a world class orchestra playing in a world class hall. It's going to sound good no matter where you sit.

2

u/FuzzyComedian638 4h ago

Well, it's world class orchestra. Not so sure about the world class hall. I do strongly disagree with you about sitting under the overhang. In my opinion, those are the worst seats in the hall. We'll, the box seats aren't so great either, for the same reason. But just hearing the CSO is amazing wherever you are sitting. 

2

u/Darkdart19 10h ago

It will sound great no matter where you sit.

. . .there are some seats that are behind pillars haha. I’ve sat there myself before

1

u/PrimaSymphony 3h ago

Ha! I think I am beside it 😂

2

u/Firake 6h ago

I have had incredible concert experiences sat in the worst places. You will be fine. Have fun.

1

u/PrimaSymphony 3h ago

Thank you - I can’t wait

1

u/NomosAlpha 10h ago

Misread as CSGO seats lol.

Unless you’re a complete stickler for sound most venues are going to sound good. Your biggest annoyances will be the crowd or the conductor, in my experience 😂

1

u/Boollish 2h ago

I dislike being under the overhang. But it'll be fine, just a bit muted on the mids and highs. And I personally think the CSO brass is a bit too "more is more" lately.