David Roberts

Review of Kimmel Center, Inc.

Truly a world class venue. Our older son is a musi...

Truly a world class venue. Our older son is a musician and I know a tiny bit about good sound - Verizon Hall, the main hall at the Kimmel, has probably the best acoustics of any venue I've ever visited. I've attended many performances there - expensive, inexpensive, and even free - have sat in many different areas throughout the hall, and the sound is always perfect. The inside of the hall itself is shaped like a giant cello. The beautiful, subtly ornate wooden wall surfaces are actually acoustic treatments. This structure is inside of an isolating structure, which is inside of the beautiful, modern-looking building there in Broad Street right down from City Hall. When you enter Verizon Hall you've temporarily left the city and will be immersed in beautiful music. The pipe organ is, I believe, among the top 50 largest in the world. And is a work of visual art as well. The main organ console is above and behind the stage, but there's a remote console that is sometimes brought out on stage for more of an intimate connection between organist and audience - that's always fun. If you ever get a chance to attend an "organ pump" do not miss this! Audience members are invited to come up and lie down on the stage, usually after some special organ performance. You then get to FEEL the organ in a way you will never forget - something well with experiencing. I could go on... Just get on their email list, it's how I track their special events, and find out about the occasional free events as well.