Benaroya Hall

200 University St, Seattle, WA 98101, USA

Address:	200 University St, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
Phone:	+1 206-215-4800
Site:	seattlesymphony.org
Rating:	4.7

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 12

Amber Skidmore

I give 5 stars to Taper Auditorium, but minus a star for the Recital Hall. The Taper Auditorium is a great place to hear a concert. We were in the third tier with clear sight lines of the stage and the sound was remarkably clear even that far up. The seats are well spaced and comfortable to sit in for a multi hour event. Only complaint about Taper Auditorium is that it was freezing cold. Myself and several other people nearby were using our coats as blankets to cover our legs. I wouldnt wear a skirt unless you also had a thick coat to stay warm with. The Recital Hall also has good sound and clear sight lines. But the seats are crammed in together (side to side and between rows) and have a narrow seat with a low backrest. I have broad shoulders and one stranger next to me did too. I ended up leaning toward the other side of my seat the whole time to avoid bumping that neighbor, which was uncomfortable. Personally I would avoid going to an event in the Recital Hall unless the people on either side were my friends so I wouldnt mind being pressed shoulder to shoulder with them for a couple hours.

Beth Slattery

My husband and I had our first Benaroya experience last night. The venue is lovely and the PLU choir and orchestra was top notch. However, we ignorantly chose our own seats and won the lottery of "worst seat in the house." The view and sound from the Founders level is exceptional, but seat K8 should not be a seat. Im 56" and my knees were painfully pressed against the wall/bannister and there was no place for my feet other than to be tucked tightly (and uncomfortably) under my chair. It was worse than flying coach by a long shot. There should not be a seat there at all, or if there is, it should be designated for small children and potted plants. All of the other seats appeared to be fine. It is unconscionable that Benaroya collects money for it. When we mentioned it to the usher, he said, Yes, people complain about that seat all the time. You almost need no knees to sit there." And yet they keep selling it.

Serena Uible

I went to see Ann Patchett. Im cheap, so I bought balcony tickets. Ms Patchett was wearing a dark dress with dark shoes has brown hair and is petite. At least from what I could see. She looked about three inches tall. Facial features and expressions - I assume she had them. Shrug She did a great talk. I dont think I missed a word. She was entertaining, thoughtful and just delightful. Id go to heart her again. Would I pay more? Ummmm. .... Maybe. My guess is she is very animated. If I was paying to see musical group .... SEEING is important to me - a big part of the "show". Id either cough up the extra money to sit closer ... or not go. Even from the very top, one of these worst seats, the sound was GREAT, what I could see ... was not very much. Benaroya is great for sound, cheap seats not great to see. Patchett is delightful.

Sharon Draffin

The home of the Seattle Symphony! Wonderful classical music and concerts. There are even events for children of different ages. One is able to get dinner and coffee outside the lobby before entering. Drinks are also available inside the lobby before the concert and during intermission. The lobby itself overlooks downtown Seattle and is across the street from Seattle Art Museum. The before concert lectures give a new perspective to the music to be played. This is not only the home of the Seattle Symphony but hosts various other groups and concert opportunities.

Guy Sykes

Went to see Rebirth Brass Band, a seven piece group. This was in a symphonic concert hall with great accoustics. You can hear a pin drop on the stage from the back row. A seven piece band should be a piece of cake but the sound guy ruined it. Volume up so loud and no balance between musicians. Everything was just brassy noise. Could not hear the vocals over the instruments and the one drum they had was louder than all the horns. Poor sax guy was lost in it altogether. Too bad they turned what are probably talented musicians into simple noise makers.

Ansel Santosa

Most recently I came to Benaroya for the "Baroque and Wine" series. I thought the highlight of the night would be the pairing of good classical music to wine. However, while it was very nice, it was totally eclipsed by the conductor: Dmitry Sinkovsky. He didint do much conducting because he was busy playing violin and singing. Incredible performance both by him and the rest of the musicians (who essentially performed without a conductor). There were many standing ovations and 3 encore songs. Absolutely incredible.

Debra Shelden

I attended the Il Divo concert on April 9th. The sound was horrible which was shocking since its a concert hall. The singers mikes were too loud as was the orchestra making it sound like they were competing with each other. The singers voices are very powerful. The didnt need mikes at all. It got to the point where everytime they were about to belt out together I cringed (as did my partner) and had to put my hands over my ears. Very very disappointing. I wish I could get my money back!

Xavier Lopez

My only complaint is that the Hall does not have a place for local, independent art galleries to put flyers or posters of their shows. In my estimation, this is the loss of an amazing resource for the art community to reach out to the public and beyond. I hope that Benaroya will consider creating a small space for local art galleries to share information. That would definitely be terrific for the entire art community as a whole. Xavier Lopez Jr. (Alternative Art Culture Blogger)

Kat Sykes

The venue is still decent acoustically, but is definitely showing its age. The seating is worn out and uncomfortable. Padding all but gone and some seats actually painful to sit in, especially if youre short and the edge of the seat cuts into the back of your legs. A bit of advice, prepay for the under building parking online when you buy your show tickets otherwise you may be scrambling to find other parking near the venue.

Tyler Lund

What a classy spot! Visited for Steve Martins bluegrass performance and the venue was amazing. The interior feels like a European Opera house complete with Opera boxes lining the walls. Acoustics were pretty good as well considering the length of the hall. Staff was also very friendly and helpful in directing people. Just make sure to go to the bathroom before a performance!

jake brayden

I love the Seattle Symphony. Ive been here a dozen times or so and Ive enjoyed every time. The parking downtown can be a pain. There are a few regular homeless people right outside the building. But the actual building is incredible. The people are amazing. The music is moving. If you like to drink they have a great selection. I can not recommend this highly enough.

.::.

Staff is fairly curt, if you show up a few minutes late even with box seats you wont be seated until intermission. Wont be coming to an event here again. Thanks for making my day terrible. - Update. The box office manager refunded the price of our seats. It was a small consolation as it isnt often one gets to hear Joshua Bell playing a Stradivarius.