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Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Category: Arts & Entertainment Performing Arts Performing Arts [Edit]
601 Smithe StVancouver, BC V6B 5G1
Neighbourhoods: Downtown, Granville Entertainment District
(604) 684-9100
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
7 reviews for Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
7 reviews in English
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Review from Karen R.
11/30/2011 7 Check-ins Here
One if the best deals in town - 5 concerts for $100. Our seats are in the 4th row in front of the double basses and they are fine. The concerts are always fantastic - the VSO is chock full of great musicians and Bramwell Tovey is the cutest conductor. - he hops and flails and gets the best out of his orchestra.
There isn't a fee if you need to change your ticket (seasons ticket holders only) and the folks on the other end of the phone know the theatre and the concerts really well and can always give you an informed opinion on any question you might have. I also appreciate the little stickers they give you for your calendar so you know when your next concert is. You also get a 5 dollar discount and additional discounts during the year for any concert.
They make classical music accessible and rarely play anything too post-modern. The soloists that come and perform are great - they've ben featuring a lot of young up and comers over then past few years which is vital if they want to keep classical music relevant. -
Review from Navita R.
Vancouver, BC
4/30/2012
I try and go to the Symphony any time I have a chance, which is about once a month.
If you're under 30, you can get 2 - $15 tickets so it's GREAT!!! That's right, $15 for any seat in the house!! It's basically a steal. -
Review from Mark H.
10/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
So way back when, I was a band geek (trumpet). Plus played piano as a kid. So I (somewhat) know music well, kind of.
I haven't been to a symphony concert in years and this was my 1st VSO experience. I went to the opening weekend with featured Jon Kimura Parker playing Rachmaninoff.
As expected, the crowd consisted of a "sea of greys" as Jenna L puts it, but an enthusiastic bunch they were. The stars of the show are the mass of violins. Each violinist swaying passionately with each movement, it's hard to take your eyes off them.
The pianist, Jon Kimura Parker, was stellar. Always amazes me how they can remember such long, intricate pieces of music and play it uniquely.
Check their calendar. They have some great artists throughout the season. -
Review from Melonie S.
Vancouver, BC
4/11/2012
I attend as often as I can. This symphony is NEVER a dissapointment! Thank you!
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Review from Reena M.
4/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
Did you know that if you are a post-secondary student, you can get a VSO access pass for free that allows you to go to most VSO performances in the best available seat for only $10????? That IS the best concert deal in town, as the website advertises.
I happened to stumble on this and then decided to go to a VSO Pops series concert: A Century of Broadway. That is definitely the best $10 I ever spent on entertainment! The music was amazing, and I love the Orpheum! The VSO is really a group that can play anything. We got to listen to songs from famous musicals in the early 1900s all the way to Wicked and Phantom of the Opera.
Fantastic!!!Listed in: Tourism Vancouver
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Review from Claudia L.
Burnaby, BC
2/24/2009 2 photos
This one time ... at band camp, I ...... . ..... .. .. .....!
The band geek inside me just falls in love with them (and no, I didn't play the flute).
Much like their average audience member (pruney, balding and a wearer of ointment), VSO has been struggling to stay alive these past couple years. Their desperation to get more customers during weeknights is exemplified by their weak PR campaign (e.g. a gigantic poster with two toddlers on it smiling with the words, and I quote, "VSO is so cool. I love it!" is reminiscent of those late night carpet infomercials). No wonder I'm the first one to rate; average age of Yelper must be less than ... say, 90?
This is great opportunity for a family outing and a chance to get dressy because the Orpheum, filled with balconies for photo opps and bars for drinking (yup, posing and alcohol is very important to my family), is a classically beautiful venue. I bought tickets for my mom's birthday and although my dad passed out in the seat next to her, she had a fantastic time.
I swear there is a younger demographic that appreciates this amazing orchestra but the ticket prices still aren't cheap (4 tix for 125+tax$ on centre lower balcony). It's unfortunate because the musical guests (especially the pianists - don't laugh) are phenomenal.
Okay. Even though I played an instrument and have the utmost respect for true musicians, my composure failed because I couldn't help but giggle at these funnies:
Funny #1: The triangle and cymbal players who sat through 98% of the piece doing nothing, picked up their so-complex instrument with such diligence. "Mom, when I grow up I wanna master the banging of the triangle!" I feel horrible after saying this because I know these things take training o.O ? Nonetheless, giggles surged since I was picturing their music sheets to look something like this
__________________________________________________ _________________________________________
__________________________________________________ _________________________________________
==___________________________==___________________ ___________==_______________________|____|
__________________________________________________ ____________________________________|____|
__________________________________________________ ___________________________________o____o
Funny #2: I was enthralled by the emotion of the famous visiting pianist, Louis Lortie and also the conductor, Bramwell Tovey but with their face gigantisized on projector screens, the facial expressions can be overwhelmingly funny. The least I could do is tame myself here because I could easily perverse this elegant function ... so easily and in many MANY ways -_-
Okay, I am going to stop the funnies there but if you enjoy classical music and/or performance, I highly recommend this as a gift to yourself and your friends/family. If you often sleep through classical music, then I highly recommend for you to drink some Red Bull before hand.
P.S. In "Good for Kids" section, I would say "yes" because Beethoven is bitchin' for the brain if your tweener can put away the glossy white earbuds down for a couple hours but "no" to kids that are immune to Ridilan. -
Review from Jenna L.
5/2/2011
Sunday afternoon concert feat. Augustin Hadelich was purely genius. His techniques and understanding of lyricism are simply amazing..... I was so impressed!
The Orpheum is such a classic looking venue with beautiful chandelier and glittering walls.. With my access pass I also get a massive discount on tickets, often paying $10 something for a concert. On Sunday afternoon concert though, you will see "sea of greys".
One thing that bothered me throughout was the "my ass in your face" man who sat next to me. People.. Please please please whatch which direction you rears are facing, and if they are not pointing south, but in any other direction, then ensure they are not in someone's face........ This also applies to your feet and their directions if you want to cross your legs! GAH!
Anyways, I very much resisted an attempt to tap his butt with a program to let him know his back is in my private bubble but decided I give him another chance (which he repeated anyways).
So much for my ranting, but I am sure it happens often...But I shall not take away a star for my wonderful experience otherwise.
