Looks like it belongs in Los Angeles. But I'll have to admit that it adds a lot to a Third Avenue that prior to the construction of Benaroya Hall was getting very down at the ears. Nice to hear... More

Looks like it belongs in Los Angeles. But I'll have to admit that it adds a lot to a Third Avenue that prior to the construction of Benaroya Hall was getting very down at the ears. Nice to hear a waft of classical music--although it has become more and more pop-sounding--for those people waiting to catch a bus on Third Avenue. The acoustics are supposedly very good--but I have a "tin ear" but such things. Have been to only three concerts or recitals here since it opened, the first marred by a gentlemen who obviously was not there for the experience of a live classical recital: he thumbed through a magazine, loudly, the whole time, rarely looking up. It was a wonderful idea to build a symphony hall right in the heart of downtown. The Nordstrom Recital Hall is for recitals--chamber music, principally. The Grand Lobby is glitzy-ritzy. Behind Benaroya Hall is a Garden of Remembrance, with its dark granite wall dedicated to war veterans and its discreetly placed, well manicured shrubbery and gently cascading pools of water--all fairly close to an entrance to the Metro Tunnel. And across Second Avenue is the post-modernist Robert Venturi (with its giddy art deco references, etc.) addition to the Seattle Art Museum.
Less

I went to Benaroya Hall for the first time the other evening to see a comedy show. I was surprised it was held there since these type of events are usually at the Paramount. I had a hard time... More

I went to Benaroya Hall for the first time the other evening to see a comedy show. I was surprised it was held there since these type of events are usually at the Paramount. I had a hard time hearing the performers - could be due to bad audio mixing/AV. The seating was well-designed as each row is tiered so that no one is blocking the view in front of you with his head. My other concern was the steep incline of the theatre. It was very slippery and hard to walk down to the seats since the plush carpet does not give any traction to dress shoes. Overall a good hall, but I still like the Paramount.
Less

When they started building this place, I thought to myself "no way. I give it a day, tops." But this was before those advertisements, like the one that implies that Seattle has only one season or... More

When they started building this place, I thought to myself "no way. I give it a day, tops." But this was before those advertisements, like the one that implies that Seattle has only one season or whatever. The acoustics in this theater is amazing. Treat yourself to a fun night of the classics, music style.
Less