we went here back in june and im just leaving the review now! i didn't think this was gonna be as good as SF but it was much nicer! What an amazing fun night with friends who came to visit and surprised me with these awesome tix. The Rady Shell is such a great place! . We loved every bit of it and i love the symphony when i get to go! i think a few of us are going to see a concert here in September but i can't remember who it is we're seeing! i'm sure it'll be just as much fun! Def recommend Rady's Shell and the SD Symphony! read more

It is an exhilarating experience just being in this beautiful, renovated venue. Add to that a world class orchestra showing more versatility each season. We attended a symphonic rendition of the academy award winning animation , the movie Flow . Such an intriguing idea. I bought tickets for my family the first day they went on sale . Performance , ambience and a second run through the movie for us did not disappoint . We were especially impressed with the age range, from very young to much older attendees. I suggest checking out the symphony's upcoming offerings . Something for everyone with a welcome inclusion of offerings which youngsters , hipsters and oldsters alike will thoroughly enjoy . read more

Fortunate enough to experience a tour of the symphony hall through The Social Study, a lecture event group. We had a very informative tour of the space and then saw a show the following weekend. The space was recently renovated and is gorgeous. I absolutely want to come back to experience a show sitting behind the orchestra and looking into the crowd! read more

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A beautifully renovated venue. Very comfortable seats, great acoustics and good programming for the season. A gorgeous asset to the city and its culture. read more

San Diego Symphony - Performing Arts Near Me - San Diego, California

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This was my first time watching the San Diego Symphony perform and it was honestly beautiful! My guy and I had such a lovely time. I was really surprised that they didn't allow drinks or food inside, but I was very happy about it! What a great way to keep the theatre clean and to minimize noise outside of the performers. I did end up getting a drink and lemon bar during intermission. The drink was way stronger than I expected and the lemon bar was to die for! The prices for the food they offer was decent as well. My only real critique is that I was very distracted by the people around us, unfortunately. I had a large family to my left who were all waving like maniacs to the performers and had their phones recording the whole first half, then they didn't come back from intermission. However, once they were gone, the woman sitting next to my guy was on something because she was chaotically jumping along and flailing her arms the entire performance. They need to do more to make sure the audience is following the rules/expectations. I would gladly come back here for another show. Very fun spot. read more

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I'm reviewing the restaurant on the 34th floor. I was here for a meeting and breakfast. It had a beautiful view of the downtown skyline. This is an ideal spot to have a meeting or gathering for about 50 people. The only drawback is the parking situation you have to pay for parking. But the staff was friendly and helpful with questions. read more

San Diego Symphony - Entrance to the dining area. - Performing Arts Near Me - San Diego, California

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I paid for Marina seating, food and parking in advance. Food was great. Waitresses were kind and helpful. The symphony was terrible. I came to hear robust patriotic songs honoring our country with a focus on our country. There was very little of that. Instead we heard poor quality jazz, blues, Broadway, rock and roll which I can hear anytime. Fireworks were okay. Parking was a mess. I arrived before 6 pm and tried to park in the assigned Ace parking which I had prepaid. I was told to go to a different lot. I went to the other lot and they sent me back to the first lot who turned me back to the second lot. It took 4 visits and a call from the first lot to the 2nd lot to get parked. By then I had wasted a half hour and had to walk to the venue. I am handicapped. I don't walk very fast or very far. It was extremely stressful. If the food hadn't been good I would have given the whole thing a big zero. read more

Alcoholic drinks are terrible. $14.00 for a Gin and Tonic where they dump a (10oz?) bottle of tonic into a Starbucks style Grande plastic cup and add the minimal gin. No garnish. Awlful...stick to the wine if you dare. Looking forward to Leslie Odom Jr. tonite to make up for wasted money on "Spirits". read more

San Diego Symphony - Majorly tonic-ed down gin & Tonic in a Starbucks style grande sized cup. Just an awful tonic water drink - Performing Arts Near Me - San Diego, California

I attended a performance of Carnival of the Animals at the Balboa Theatre this past weekend, and had an awesome time listening to the sounds of the San Diego Symphony. The show is a bit geared toward kids (with the animal theme), but hey I like animals too, lol... seriously it's good music for all ages.  The orchestra was on point, the musicians performing with such ease and a bit of playfulness... initially it was mainly string and wind instruments, but later some percussion & piano for the finale (the carnival). The conductor actually got the crowd involved for some of the earlier pieces. For instance, there were pics on the screen prompting audience members (mainly the kids) to "meow" during the orchestra's performance of Leroy Anderson's The Waltzing Cat. Same with Haydn's Symphony No. 82 with the bear. The shadow puppets on screen were absolutely entertaining (not just just for the kids) and so fitting for the show. This particular event was about 45 minutes long, and though I'm from the bay area where the SF Symphony constantly amazes audiences with their talents (and makes it hard for others to compare), I really enjoyed and appreciated the San Diego Symphony's lighthearted performance this past Saturday. read more

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The San Diego Symphony is a high-quality ensemble that performs well-chosen programs of classical music. I'm less taken with their gimmicky "pops" shows, but such music is popular with some people, and I suppose everyone needs to find their own way in to grown-up life, so good on the Symphony for speeding that process along. Today, I learned that the organization has detractors on this platform, that its reputation has been dragged down by 1-star Yelpers. "Who are these people?" I wondered, and I was intrigued enough to closely read all 15 of their reviews and look through their profiles. I believe that it was Beethoven who said, "Sweet Baby Chuy on a Churro!" - On a platform where 70% of reviewers rate businesses 4- or 5-stars, these folks use the 1-star "kill button" 60% to 80% of the time; - They like country music and ABBA, and they hate the Old Globe Theatre; programs that include Cuban and Chinese selections; and listening to music without a drink in their hands; - They feel cheated when musicians use sheet music; when Natalie Merchant has a sinus infection; or when the musicians "...[miss] every forzando..."; - They are REALLY bugged that the ticket office won't make it right when they "...[remember] the wrong date... [and miss] the concert..."; buy tickets in the wrong row; or don't provide a correct mailing address for tickets. It's a shame that the Symphony's performers and front office have to deal with such pinheads. It's hard enough managing a business that produces nothing but vibes, which, although they may be good, are a tough sell in this economy. Me, I'm happy that the Symphony exists, as it gives me a way, albeit briefly, to separate myself from 1-star people. read more

Memorized by beauty of Symphony Hall and the incredible music. Seeing musicians create the sound live gave me joy.

I got to attend my first symphony here which was honestly amazing. It was the Chinese New Year one which was 85 min long, nooo breaks. But honestly, it didn't feel like 85 minutes. At max it felt like I was sitting there for 20-30min because of how good the musicians were! The location here is sort of confusing. My friend and I got dropped off here with a Lyft and we were hella confused cuz the outside said Symphony Towers so we initially thought we were dropped off at the wrong place, but turns out the symphony itself was located inside on the other side of the lobby. So keep this weird building design in mind if you plan on coming here. Check-In was super easy. We went to the ticket office and claimed our online tickets in person and had our tickets scanned and got to walk in. Keep in mind I accidentally ordered the mail-to-home tickets and didn't realize there was a $7 charge, and I called the same day and they canceled the tickets and refunded them for me so I could repurchase and just get mobile tickets which was nice of them!! It does take a few days for the refund to come through though. Honestly our first symphony experience was exciting. We paid $20 for tickets each but then the musicians that came told everyone to move closer to the front. So we paid $20 and got front row seats LOL. Not complaining about that at all. I do have an issue with the people that are working/volunteering here though. Several people were recording videos and taking photos and noooo one went up to those people, yet when I decided to take out my phone, I was asked to put mine away, when literally the woman right next to me and my friend recorded the whole damn concert. Like wtf? Way to call me out and not everyone else. My friend thought I was being discriminated against but who knows ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Also like before and after the show, the people that work/volunteer here are micromanagers. Like I just wanna walk around and see the lobby area and legit every 2 seconds people are coming up and asking me where am I going. Didn't know I was 5 years old and lost my parents. I find it really unnecessary to ask adults who are trying to enjoy their experience where they are going. I can take care of myself thank you very much. I didn't see this happen to anyone else but me and my friend which was irritating. Other than the people that manage the place, its absolutely gorgeous and a wonderful place to come and listen to music. read more

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I was so excited to go to the first Jazz concert at the newly remodeled symphony hall last night. Even got front row seats right off the stage. First, the hits: beautifully remodeled, the acoustics was decent, Having the band slightly back from the stage was nice so we're not hurting our necks looking up at them. Now the BIG MISS - What's up with the leg room in the front row? It's worse than bulk head on cheapest economy flight! I've sat in the front row before the remodel and it was great! you can stretch your leg and people can get pass you reasonably well. Now, it's so tight, I can't cross my legs or straighten them and I'm only 5'-8". I guess they had to pack in the seats to pay for the renovation. They made everything so pretty but neglected to think about comfort. We have to sit there for hours and my toes were constantly touching the skirt of the stage. Fortunately, there is something they can do. The skirt under the stage is removable. If they can move those skirts just a few inches back, it would make this experience so much better. It was really uncomfortable last night. To pay this kind of money for front row seats, it's ridiculous! read more

What a treat to be able to hear Kellie O'Hara and Matthew Morrison together in concert here in San Diego. The symphony has wonderful donors who Brought this show to patrons. The two have never even performed such a concert together in New York (Other than when they have appeared on Broadway together). And they sounded so beautiful backed up by the fantastic San Diego Symphony. Excellent acoustics! There is not a bad seat in the house, but I usually like to sit towards the back of the orchestra. What a bonus that there was a flash sale last month and that these tickets were only $25! The snake oil company's current cocktail at the symphony is extremely delicious. There is a Pitaya Emulsion mixed with basil and lime, and you can add it to your liquor of choice. I took the suggestion of having it with bourbon which was extremely tasty. They were also selling Cravory cookies, which unfortunately did not taste as fresh and delicious as when the company was younger and we used to buy them at the farmers market. Altogether, the symphony is a treasure in San Diego, and it's wonderful that they are programming pops concerts throughout the year and not only in the summer. read more

I purchased tickets for the Shell as soon as I saw them go on sale in May 2021. This was a 500$ purchase, so I would expect better service. Seats were promised in June. It is now August! I have not received tickets, I cannot get an answer on the phone when I call (endless hold music), and emails go unanswered. I was a season ticket holder many years ago and have always enjoyed the Symphony and I have always supported the arts. Customer service is just as important as good performances. read more

Love the San Diego Symphony. Listened to them both at the Embarcadero & finally Thursday at the Copley Symphony Hall. Whichever venue you choose, there is not a bad seat in the house. Conductor was David Danzmyar. Funny and put on an awesome show. Standing ovation! The building is beautiful and intricate architecture. It's beyond amazing from the outside just looks like any downtown building. Once you pass the lobby, oh my. It's like you're in a different city. The arts I feel is under appreciated in SD. But trust me when I say this, go to one of their shows and you will be in love. Show after show I am mesmerized. Whether they are playing scores from movies to Beethoven. Their shows are geared for everyone. Even family, some shows are specific kid friendly. Please support the arts. The shows are wonderfully put together with such thought for some such affordable prices. Let's talk parking...it's downtown. What do you expect. Come early. Have a few drinks (P.S. we had Jack & Coke and boy oh boy it was made well). Relax and make it a date night and go to a nice fancy dinner before hand. BTW staff is amazing! read more

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I came here some years ago for a piano concert. It wasn't what we anticipated but we appreciated the venue nonetheless. The seats remind me of a grand movie theater with each seat having a decent view of the stage. The crowd was a bit different the first time we were here though. The lady next to us got irate when we didn't stand up to give a standing ovation like she did during one concerto. Sorry lady but not everyone has to agree with you on which piece warrants a standing ovation. That's the thing about music : to each his own right. I was surprised over the weekend with tickets to the ALL ABOUT THE PIANO: RHAPSODY IN BLUE : A Jacobs Masterworks Concert. We were a few minutes late but the nice ushers were helpful and kind. They now have an overhead tv, above the stage, that shows the pianist playing the keys. That helped tremendously and make me smile how much I miss playing the beloved piano. The crowd seemed immersed in the music and the stranger next to me struck up a lively conversation with me and friend during intermission. It was truly a fun night. The reception and front street get busy after the symphony. Valets are trying to retrieve cars, people are trying to find their designated uber drivers, patrons are trying to cross the street to get to the parking lots. It's chaos but it's manageable. read more

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I've gone to multiple Jacob Masterworks concerts using the student discount, and I think the San Diego Symphony does an amazing job making music affordable. Since I've used the student discount so much with my boyfriend we decided to spring for a subscription for the jazz series for this season. We've gone to the first two, and they were fantastic. The Roots of Rhythm is easily our favorite concert in the past year out of any venue, and the performers did a fantastic job of contextualizing jazz and introducing the audience to a variety of instruments. Unfortunately, while the performers did an amazing job, I was disappointed with my experience nonetheless. I was seated in front of an adult man accompanied by a young child (maybe five--he necessitated a booster seat). The adult was constantly talking to his child, and showing him how to "drum" on his thighs. It was a constant buzzing sound. During intermission, their party spilled a bunch of water which wet my shoe, and the couple in front of us decided to sit with a seat between them in order to avoid sitting in a puddle. The couple had told a volunteer usher about it, but there wasn't time to alert facilities before intermission ended. Shortly after intermission ended, the child also spilled skittles or something of the sort too. If I wanted to sit among spilled drinks and candy, I would have just gone to the movie theater for a fraction of the price. This is not a one-time occurrence either because previously when I've gone there was a small child was eating a bag of Doritos during the performance which was distracting as well. While I know that the symphony doesn't have control over audience goers, I think they might want to keep an eye on any younger audience members to make sure behavior is appropriate and not highly distracting. What the symphony does have control over, though, is their staff at will call. I always feel like I'm interrupting their conversations or something, and their behavior is never welcoming or professional. Overall, the performances have been nothing but a delight, but I'm definitely thinking twice about going to performances again here. read more

Buy a ticket at your own Risk! Expect 0 Customer service. I bought two tickets intended as a gift. Apparently the tickets get mailed to your house. I'm on vacay from the Bay Area and can't retrieve the tickets from my snail mail. What's worse is I sent an email within 5 minutes of purchasing explaining I needed the tickets mailed to something other than my billing address. It's been 3 weeks with several follow up emails and several attempted calls where I'm on hold for more than 20 minutes. Your local dive bar has more consideration than this outfit. The tickets are at risk of not getting used due to my travel timing. Don't be fooled by the symphony credentials. Top 5 worst customer service experiences of all time. Rachèt as F. ‍ read more

1 star because of absolute frustration with the seats sold to me, bought a package of 2 tickets to 8 symphony concerts because as discussed over the phone ( with san diego symphony) the seats would be near the front... I believed them, and purchased the tickets only to find out the seats were great for 1 concert, and seats for the remaining 7 are all 6 rows from the very farthest possible in row N. The symphony concert performance was great, but the experience is not as was expected because from row N the orchestra members are very hard to see. read more

Rady Shell Summer Pops at Jacob Park Ticket Office does not answer the phone! No Valet Parking Picnic Baskets not allowed Wine/Beer not allowed Insist on buying Packages Country Concerts Few and Far Between Table Servers inexperienced and untrained Limited disabled assistance Confusing Website Tables very close together and Crowded I had been going for about 15 years but have canceled my subscription It was very nice before the expansion to the Shell They have wrecked the under the stars venue with their new policies Humphrey's is now a better choice read more

I had a long flowery review here but I felt like a pompous ass when re-reading it - and if you are coming to a symphony I'm sure you know what you're in for - so let's stick to the basics. (If you want the full tl;dr version, it's still down there under 'past reviews'.) ~^~^~ PROGRAM? ~^~^~ Top notch. They've got such a wide range of concerts of all styles and composers so there is always something new to experience. My experience has always been amazing. Musicians, conductor, the pieces they choose, all perfection. ~^~^~EMBARCADERO? ~^~^~ Dunno. Haven't been. ~^~^~ JACOBS MUSIC CENTER? ~^~^~ (aka: Copley Symphony Hall): Love it. Comfortable seating, great acoustics and beautiful decor. For a venue that fits so many people, it runs very smoothly, all the lines move fast. The ushers, ticketing and concessions staff are all quite friendly and helpful. ~^~^~ALCOHOL SITUATION? ~^~^~ Yes. :P They've got the basics and are very generous with their wine pours... and yes you get a sippy cup with a lid so you can take it to your seat to enjoy with the show. ~^~^~ PARKING? ~^~^~ Can you Uber instead? $25 Valet, $20 Self Park, or $5-10 at nearby lots. ~^~^~ ANYTHING ELSE? ~^~^~ "Danny Elfman's Music from the Films of Tim Burton" Concert around Halloweentime: If they do this again, go. The word 'amazing' doesn't even cover it. My favorite musical experience so far. ~^~^~ **STILL** TL;DR SUMMARY ~^~^~ This is an awesome experience and every music lover should try it. read more

The San Diego Symphony is a beautiful venue for an intimate show featuring your favorite musical artist. I saw Vanessa Williams, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Leann Rimes here this year. Such a gorgeous outdoor venue for concerts during the summer nights in this beautiful city. Bring a blanket or a warm coat...I can't stress this enough! The gal in front of use came all dressed up and apparently didn't want to wear a jacket to show off her dress. Sucked to be her that night! Highly recommend for those that have never truly explored San Diego and all of it's little gems. Treat yourself this summer and check out your favorite band when Summer Pops strikes! read more

When the first note landed upon my ear drums, an instant image or hope shall I say entered in my mind for the children and grown-ups of America today...... An image of X-boxes, p3 whatever stations... ALL VIDEO games and other time/brain wasters all collectively gathered in cardboard boxes, thrown into a recycling bin....... and imagine this... children or adults doing something productive with their lives....ahhh the splendor of cultivating a craft.... (ehh forget it, this is America, where drive-thru McDonalds, Walmarts and glassy eyed stare boxes rule)................ Truly inspired by the faces behind the instruments. Not just listening to the music that played, but understanding and appreciating the amount of time and effort souls invested in their craft or trade to become masters of their instruments. The San Diego Symphony is a collection of human beings whom full-filled their artistic dreams, calloused fingers, countless hours, I can only imagine the sacrifices encountered to arrive at this point of having one's name and photograph hung on the lobby's wall to be a part of The San Diego Symphony....... read more

San Diego Symphony - Taken at the end..... From the front row! Amazing performance! - Performing Arts Near Me - San Diego, California

Summer Pops San Diego Symphony by the Sea. It is the best performance ever. The music is the best and the view is the best. i came here couple of years ago because i have known San Diego symphony Orchestra violinist and he invited me. I used to visit indoors of the hall. so I've never expected this venue is gorgeous. Mixing outdoor view, the fresh breeze from the sea, the yacht moving, falling the stars from the sky and mellow music. At that time Billy Joel performed. The trumpeter is also outstanding. Some people stayed out of entrance with the blanket and food to enjoy the music and no one swatted away anyone who sat out side the entrance with free music. i thought that is the good idea. read more

When I saw that the San Diego Symphony would be performing the music of Danny Elfman from the films of Tim Burton, I knew my husband and I would need to go. It was during Comic-Con so we expected craziness and there was of course, but the staff handled everyone beautifully. There was some bottle-necking getting into the seating area, but it was over in an instant. This was our first visit to see the symphony so I guess this was the area where they do the Summer Pops concerts, right behind the convention center, on the water with gorgeous views. I'm not sure if I can explain how awesome it was to be listening to music from Beetlejuice while seeing the sun set behind the symphony. Or how breathtaking it was seeing fireworks light up the sky while the symphony played the soundtrack of Edward Scissorhands in front of me. Perfection. We sat in the grandstand and the views were great. We could see the stage clearly, but also had a nice view of the city scape and the bay. Beer was reasonably priced and there were tons of food options for those interested. Like gourmet food. I was impressed! Note: Because I'm an idiot, when I was selecting our seats online I accidentally ordered two pairs. One in the grandstand and one in a much more expensive section. I didn't realize I'd done it until I'd finished the transaction and saw the total on my receipt. I immediately emailed the San Diego Symphony and explained what I'd done. It was after business hours, so I spent the rest of the evening trying to figure out how I was going to sell two fancy seats to a Comic-Con concert. The next morning, however, I received a lovely email saying they went ahead and refunded the cost of the more expensive tickets and my grandstand tickets were paid for and ready to pick up at will-call. Easy as that. Thank you so much for making that easy for me! I had such a lovely overall experience with the San Diego Symphony, from the customer service to the musicians themselves. read more

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Amazing place. I was here with my wife on her birthday. We saw Harry Potter and it was one of the best experience in my life. Definitely, you should visit this Symphony and feel amazing vibe of this place! read more

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Took advantage of the $10 student tickets they have at the San Diego Symphony to take in Mahler's Ninth with a few friends. It's not like the massive Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco like I'm used to, but more like a smaller theatre-type setting with very nice architectural detailing on the walls and ceiling. In part because I was sitting skewed to the right side of the symphony, the acoustics weren't as great as I've heard at other symphony halls that were designed with sound quality in mind as the number one priority. That being said, the symphony was wonderful, lively when it had to be and very capable of imparting the somber mood that pervades parts of Mahler's last completed work. Also, one of the great benefits of a smaller community of classical listeners and a correspondingly smaller symphony is that the San Diego Symphony is able to offer pre-show lectures on the context and significance of the piece being performed. The youngish guy giving the lecture on Mahler's Ninth was hilarious while still being pretty informative. Definitely learned much more about Mahler than I ever wanted to. For people considering another performance of Mahler's Ninth, the Fourth Movement's short solo violinist sections makes it all worth it. For those who are planning on buying tickets when you get there, bring cash as they don't take credit/debit cards. And on that subject, you'll usually be able to get a seat even if you don't buy online as there seemed to be a decent amount of empty seats. Probably end up sitting really close to the stage where the sound is a bit strange, but at least you'll see everything up close. read more

San Diego Symphony - View from row G seats for $10 - Performing Arts Near Me - San Diego, California

I have been here for a few concerts. I love the Harry Potter and other movies with live music and also the holiday concerts. My favorite section for seating is Orchestra middle and front or Mezzanine in the first 4 rows. You can park for $8 flat rate (price as of May 2019) at the parking structure on A street between 5th and 6th streets. This is 2 blocks away. read more

I'm not a big performing arts guy, but I really enjoy these folks. They recently held a Winter Pops show that was free for the military, to include free photos with Santa. It was a great performance that was very spirited and uplifting. It definitely put me (further) in the Christmas spirit. I can't thank the SD Symphony and all the sponsors enough for their generosity and hospitality that night read more

Anyone demanding instant tickets during a pandemic is an inconsiderate fool. Ticket arranging takes some time in a new venue. The people working the ticket office are working from home, because they can't work in an office. If you needed tickets for the next day, maybe that's a valid complaint, but if you want tickets back three months before the show, then YOU have the problem. The new facility is amazing and the performances are wonderful. I can't say enough about either of them. read more

Perfection. Ultimate perfection. Those are the only words that I would describe the performance by world renown pianist, Lang Lang, on January 15th. As an attempt to fulfill my filial duty, I brought my father here after finding an incredible deal (50% off regular price) on Travelzoo. Lang Lang is simply amazing. From the way he oh-so effortlessly placed his fingers onto those black and white keys to the swift, smooth body movement as he was playing the alluring piece by Lizst, every single moment of his performance was heart-melting, breathtaking, and soulfully satisfying. I was uncontrollably swaying to the beautiful rhythm of the music, completely devoting my mind in the unique symphonic dynamic demonstrated by Lang Lang. I grew up listening to my sister perfecting her piano skills even though I never picked up the art of this percussion instrument. After watching Lang Lang's incredible performance, I found myself having a strong urge to sign up for a piano course. He is truly inspiring. If I had the opportunity to watch him play live again, I would absolutely do so. Thank you San Diego Symphony, for pairing up with Travelzoo so poor college students like me can experience the beauty of genuine musical enthusiasm. read more

San Diego Symphony - Performing Arts Near Me - San Diego, California

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Came here for Itzhak Perlman's performance. The hall is a-ok. Nothing about the interior design to leave an impression but I guess you come for the music itself. Perlman was absolutely powerful and brilliant, I felt so blessed to hear him live. The design of the hall, though, is really vast so there seems to be a lot of empty space for the music to flow out into rather than into the audience. Comfortable and spacious seats. Too many audience members, however, hacking and blowing their noses throughout the performance! Please try to wait for the cessation of the piece. $8 cabs in plastic cups (like the norm) but tastier than that of other concert halls in SD. read more

I love the SD Symphony. They are pretty much always spot on. I've never been to a 'bad' performance. Sometimes the interpretations of pieces aren't my favorite, but that's been based on a guest conductor. The instumentalists are the best, bar none. This year has been a challenge, with many of their special events facing last minute substitutions (Hillary Hahn, John Williams, etc.) and with Jahja Ling leaving I'm a little concerned about next year. Hopefully they will find a replacement soon. With concertmaster Jeff Thayer also out, I'm worried about a lack of direction. I highly recommend getting there 45 minutes early so that you can enjoy Nuvi Mehta's pre-concert lecture. His style is wonderfully classic. It's like listening to an old school PBS commentator. read more

This was the FOX Theater, once upon a time. It's a historical spot so they couldn't tear it down. So, they built around it! My uncle said he used to run the halls when he was a little boy. If you want to see a concert in a beautiful hall, this is the place to come to. If you've never been here before, you should find an excuse to go. Go to the website and just search for events and pick one. I've seen Los Romeros - the royal family of classical guitar- here with full orchestra. I've been to free events. And I'm looking forward to possibly seeing Natalie Merchant here. The San Diego Symphony also does some of their events outside, so if you want to see the fox theater, make sure you're seeing the event at 750 B. St. Downtown San Diego 92101 read more

" Nathan Pacheco was a Valentines Night Treat ! My wife and I when to see Nathan Pacheco last night on Valentines day at the San DIego Symphony , located in the Copley Symphony Hall in Downtown San Diego. The Symphony Hall has beautiful architecture and the acoustics are fantastic to listen to an opera singer like Nathan with a great strong voice. Nathan was magnificent ! His singing of "Nessun Dorma, Avatar, Hallelujah, Caruso and more were so dramatic and spine tingling. Everyone in the audience is glued to Nathan's every Note he sings ! Nathan's band including his director Louie are fantastic. Nathan Pacheco has a great voice and wonderful stage interaction with the audience. His career is just starting and he is already a Super Star ! read more

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I purchased two tickets for the Harry Potter concert. Envelope arrived and nowhere inside was info to confirm the date or the seats of my tickets. All there was was a nondescript receipt in, commemorative tickets with no detail information. I mistakenly rembeted the wrong date to find out that I missed the concert. They Should improve their process by putting the date of the event, and the seats purchased on the receipt that you send to the customer. Very disappointed. read more

Gowns make my happy. Classical music makes my heart swell and brings tears to my eyes. I was raised on Bach and Liszt. Their fugues and etudes from the old vinyl recordings were the soundtrack to my childhood. I played the piano, violin, danced ballet and sang classically. And by god, I am so glad I was given this exposure. So of course, I'm gonna love the San Diego Symphony. I've been mainly attending the San Diego Symphony at Copley. I'm thrilled that they bring in fantastic special guests like Joshua Bell. The symphony itself isn't a joke, either. It's not the Vienna Philharmonic, but you can't expect that here. For one, they don't have the budget, and people don't have the appreciation that would support an orchestra of that caliber. San Diego is kind of a cultural vacuum at times, and I'm glad the symphony has managed to survive over the years- so I do my best to go support them and see their performances as much as I can. If you love classical music, you owe it to go listen to it live. SDS often has a great season that can satisfy Bach fans and please the Bartok lovers. read more

Halloween 2015 came with a special treat from the San Diego Symphony: Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas! As a former band geek (from my high school days), I have a deep appreciation for live music, especially for performances by musicians at the pinnacle of their craft. The symphony is a magical experience for this and many other reasons. If you haven't been, I cannot recommend enough that you need to go and experience the symphony at least once. Get dressed up, take your loved ones out for a nice meal, and enjoy every moment as you walk into that breath-taking concert hall. I won't bore you with all my reminiscent musings on the experience, but definitely look at their concert calendar. I guarantee you'll find something that will pique your interest. read more

Summer Pops was a blast! We saw Mary Wilson of the Supremes and had a stinkin' good time. It was a gorgeous night, the stage is right next to the bay, and they even finish it off with a nice fireworks display. Now that's what I call a Happy Ending! Oh yeah, and a concert where you can buy wine by the bottle gets a lot of kudos! Dance like a fool- no one is watching... all the blue hairs are just turning up their hearing aids and joining in the good times. :) Pops might stand for: Pretty Old People Singing. Bottles of wine, Old People, and Fireworks... some of my favorite things! read more