FD Rier

Review of Portland Symphony and PortTix

First, I have visited for four classical presentai...

First, I have visited for four classical presentaions and one pop presentation. The acoustics in Merrill Auditorium are terrible. The seating is hard and too tight for big and tall people. Amplification technology is very outdated.

The reservation system through Tthe Port Tix site are just impossible. You may want to use your phone because the people who take reservations do a very good job.

The orchestra itself is quite good. Interpretation has been unimaginative in four of my five visits. The programs are not very well concieved and the choice of material is so conservative it would induce certain sleepy time but for the extensive hacking, coughing, and paper crackling from the audience.

The one piece I enjoyed was a Rimski - Korsakov piece. One Mahler was good. All in all, for me, the Portland Symphony Orchestra is not worth the 70 mile - one way - drive.

I d love to be able to rate my experiences at five stars. Many PSO musicians are professionals from Boston and they are quite good in certain instances. The noisy audience, tight hard seats, and poor acoustics make a sixth visit by me highly unlikely.