Chicago Symphony Orchestra Assoc. Reviews

Beautiful venue and cool boxes. Would like to know why they provide row assignment if it doesn't get you a seat in that row.

Absolutely amazing. It was remarkable. I felt the emotions and dopamine surge my brain and my body causing chilly goosebumps.

I had unique experience here with Brahms no5 conducted by Muti

Had the best time. Loved their guest performer as well as the orchestra. Fabulous!!!! Horrible seating. Very uncomfortable chairs.

I was very pleased with my first experience at this venue, and look forward to returning. General admission tickets were on a first come first serve basis; and I sat on the main floor. Next time I'll probably choose the first balcony to get a better view, but the acoustics were great throughout the hall. The overall quality of the performance was super.

I would recommend the Symphony Center to anyone visiting the Chicago area.

Beautiful venue for Northwestern University's Convocation, however the Front of House staff was probably the rudest that I've ever witnessed.

Good design and atmosphere here.
Beautiful sound

Played concert here with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra

This is why I live in a big city. World class performances that are still accessible to everyone.

The best orchestra in the Midwest. They have a great mission and help a lot of great causes.

The CSO was magical as always. Especially enjoyed Leil Josefewicz performance of Stravinsky's violin concerto.

In addition, the CSO is across Michigan Avenue from the Art Institute of Chicago and its fabulous Andy Warhol exhibition.

First time attending a performance. Ushers and security were courteous to visitors and kept everyone organized prior to the show. Tickets were easy to purchase. Lobby is open to allow the public a little comfort out of the cold but keep in mind that the lobby will be crowded.

Tip: If you're driving, pre-purchase your parking pass at the Millennium Parking Garage (either Grant Park South or Grant Park North) on their website. Both garages are within walking distance to the Chicago Symphony Center. Otherwise, taxi cabs are frequently driving by the front of the theatre. Shows can run up to 3 hours long with intermission so plan your visit ahead of time. Also, be warned that there isn't a whole lot of leg room in the upper balcony.

(March 30, 2018 edit)

I have reduced CSC to 4 stars because:
Ever since attending the CSC, I've been receiving a steady flow of mail & phone calls asking me to donate money, become a member, and trying to sell me tickets for future events. I blocked their phone number and the CSC called me using a different number two (2) weeks later to ask me if I would like to buy a $600 season pass.

... sigh ...

Thanks for reading my review!

I loved echo along with the beautiful interior structure of the hall! I also had my graduation here which was even more spectacular! I truly love this historic building!

We visited for a performance with the Vienna Boys Choir, very nicely done. They tried to offer an international selection of songs for a global audience. The boys were just accompanied by a pianist (who also was the adult choir lead).

This place is simply beautiful, I was fascinated with its halls and theater

Beautiful place! I saw the Harry Potter movies here and it was a great and beautiful experience!
The seats are a little uncomfortable though.

Came here for one of the CSO All Access free concert. The music was wonderful and the concert hall is stunning. The only negative part of the experience was the aggressive attitude of the coat check person. I understand that it is a stressful and busy job but she was quite rude to the attendees.

Wonderful seat options, and a fantastic orchestra. I am very thankful for their student tickets.

Saw the Chuck Jones/ Bugs Bunny live orchestra performance and it was spectacular. All the staff are helpful, if not a little old and very strict about the rules. I love the CSO so much, it's excellent.

Great atmosphere. And service. Music and orchestra was wonderful. I had a wonderful experience

I have attended multiple concerts put on by the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and have sat both in the upper balcony and the balcony behind the stage. The sound is great and the building is beautiful. The location is easy enough to get to by train and there is also parking available in surface lots for less than $10 on most nights.

Saw an Italian composer who was amazing! You won't have time to get a drink at the venue. There is two bartenders for the whole place. Grab a roadie instead. The crowd was about 70% dressed up, 30% like jeans and flannel shirts.

CSO at the Movies playing The Empire Strikes Back ... need I say more?

Excellent Symthony orchestra. Love every single time enjoying music performed by this great musicians.

A culmination of crescendo, the chorus, the percussion, the bass and the brass each contributing to a magnificent rendition of Ravel's Daphins and Chloe by the CSO, worthy of the many ovations.

Went to see a new version of the 'Nutcracker'. Very nice production with lots of dancing, beautiful backgrounds and live orchestra. As usual, first class auditorium with beautiful ceiling paintings and all else you would expect of a world-class orchestra hall!

It's a Chicago orchestra competence. It's famous, and Muti charisma and stage control are overwhelming.

Always an amazing experience! I have seen two of the original Star Wars movies at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra theater and both times they did an outstanding job!

I have never seen a worse service than CSO. I ordered to print at home. They never sent the e tickets to me. When I try to contact them to resend me these tickets online, they treated me rude, asked me to call them and left the chat without looking at my words.

I was the only person I saw all night under the age of 40, but I had a great time.

Great venue...but really, missing lightbulbs? Too classic & beautiful of a historical landmark to look like that. But nice performances if you get passed lacking background ambiance.

Chicago Symphony Orchestra is one of the oldest and famous classical music group in the USA. It is a must-see place for me. The performance is fantastic!

The Josephine Baker Tribute was particularly thought provoking and inspiring

Gorgeous venue with professional staff. A great experience.

It is a fairly traditional building with a very high concert hall with seven floors. Those who are avoiding the high places are advised to not take the floor more than 5 floors. Acoustic itself is not so good, but it is an antique building through the hands of great conductors. Students can get tickets at a very low cost, if they search for student tickets at Google, they can buy tickets for about $ 15 per show.

Love the CSO! Great location, beautiful music and close to public transportation, restaurants and shopping. The staff is friendly and helpful. The orchestra is amazing.

Beautiful music and performance over there. Dress formally.

CSO under Mutti's baton with Yo Yo Ma as a soloist. I guess for that particular evening this place actually was the top of the world. Which is a frequent occurrence.

great to see the Getty's Christmas concert here- even from high up way back in the gallery we were drawn in to the celebration. Thanks!

Was here for Distants World's music from Final Fantasy. All I can say is that this venue is fantastic (from the ground seats)! Very intimate feeling location overall. The only complaint is that the seats seem old and very tight together, so be ready to be cozy to the person next to you. Would love to come back and experience the Chicago Symphony.

The space that allows the music to echo though the Hallway of the Great Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

I've been in a number of Symphony Theaters in Europe and can tell for sure that Chicago Symphony Orchestra is absolutely great! Check for concert tours as well as for local programs and listen the best musicians right here in Chicago.

A place to visit, at least once in a life, certainly a place to go and enjoy great classical music!

One of the great classical music venues in the world, home of arguably the best orchestra in the USA, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra - with perhaps the greatest brass section in the entire world. Wonderful acoustics. Get a ticket here if you can.

Muti was absolutely amazing and so was the Chicago Symphony Orchestra!!! Bravo! Bravo!! Bravo!!!

World class venue presenting prime orchestras from across the world, first and foremost of course the CSO. Check out the many Symphony Center Presents concerts too though, and meet the best of the best in symphonic and jazz music.

Love coming here to see the CSO perform. I have also seen yo yo ma here which is always an amazing experience. The restaurant that's available several floors up, is wonderful. There's nothing better than a one stop experience of dinner and a concert, especially in such a regal, and elegant venue.