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Symphony Center Interior |
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Meyerson Symphony Center |
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Jaap van Zweden, Music Director |
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If your last experience with
orchestra was of the “Electric Light” variety or was a
junior high school band recital, then you may have a
pleasant surprise in store. Just think ‘movie
music.’ Reminiscent of Indiana Jones, Titanic, or
even The Lion King, the sounds of the Dallas Symphony
Orchestra elicit a strong emotional response that can
seem to transport you to another place and time.
Wherever you find yourself, be
assured you'll arrive there in style. Celebrating its
20th anniversary in 2009, the Morton H. Meyerson
Symphony Center is regal indeed. But despite the
elegance of its marble floors and glass walls, the
Meyerson is comfortable and relaxed with a staff that
was casual, friendly, and extremely helpful on our
recent visit.
Doors to the concert hall open
thirty minutes before the performance, so be sure to go
early to find your seat, soak in the ambience, and read
over your program. There you can find a list of
symphony rules such as no talking during the performance
and no unwrapping cough drops or rifling through your
purse. Keep in mind that the music in some parts of the
show can be very soft, so talking babies, beeping watch
alarms, and even a growling stomach may seem louder than
usual.
If you’d like to eat before the show, the Meyerson
serves dinner at two restaurants, Opus (fine dining and
Sunday brunch) and Allegro (light dining). Bars
are also set up in these areas so you may purchase
bottled water, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages
before the show or during the fifteen minute or so
intermission. Don’t worry too much about losing
track of time during the break though, as you will hear
bells chime overhead to let you know when it’s time to
make your way back to your seat.
Our seats near the stage on the
Orchestra Terrace were well cushioned, well positioned
(angled toward the stage), well spaced (plenty of
legroom), and extremely comfortable even at the end of
the two hour performance. The center is known for
its unsurpassed acoustics and unobstructed lines of
sight, and we were well pleased with the entire
experience. |
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Free public tours of the Meyerson
are available on selected Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays,
and Saturdays at 1:00 PM, and once a month a free 30
minute recital demonstration of the center’s impressive
4,535 pipe concert organ is presented to the public with
a tour following. Reservations are not required. |
