Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
James Levine is the music director (he holds the same title with New York City's Met-
ropolitan Opera).
The season runs from October to April, with performances most Tuesday, Thurs-
day, and Saturday evenings; Friday afternoons; and some Friday evenings. Thirty-
minute explanatory talks (included in the ticket price) begin 1 hour and 15 minutes
before the curtain rises. If you aren't able to get tickets in advance, check at the box
office for returns from subscribers 2 hours before show time. A limited number of
same-day rush tickets (one per person) are available for Tuesday and Thursday
evening and Friday afternoon, and some Wednesday evening and Thursday morning
rehearsals are open to the public. Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Ave. (at Huntington Ave.).
& 617/266-1492 or 617/CONCERT (program information). SymphonyCharge & 888/266-1200 or
617/266 - 1200. www.bso.org. Tickets $29-$114. Rush tickets $9 (on sale Fri 10am; Tues, Thurs 5pm).
Rehearsal tickets $19. T: Green Line E to Symphony or Orange Line to Mass. Ave.
Boston Pops “It's nice to eat a good hunk of beef,” longtime Boston Pops con-
ductor Arthur Fiedler once said, “but you want a light dessert, too.” The Pops are the
dessert to the BSO's beef. From early May to early July, tables and chairs replace the floor
seats at Symphony Hall, and drinks and light refreshments are served. Under the direc-
tion of conductor Keith Lockhart, the Pops play a range of music from light classical to
show tunes to popular (hence the name), often with celebrity guest stars of both the
Broadway and Top 40 variety. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday evenings. Spe-
cial holiday performances in December ($32-$118) usually sell out well in advance, but
it can't hurt to check; tickets go on sale in late October.
The regular season ends with two free outdoor concerts at the Hatch Shell on the
Esplanade along the Charles River. The traditional Fourth of July concert is a mob
scene; the rehearsal the night before is merely very crowded. Both are great fun. Per-
forming at Symphony Hall, 301 Mass. Ave. (at Huntington Ave.). & 617/266-1492 or 617/CONCERT (pro-
gram information). SymphonyCharge & 888/266-1200 or 617/266 - 1200. www.bso.org. Tickets
$40-$87 for tables, $19-$52 for balcony seats. T: Green Line E to Symphony or Orange Line to Mass. Ave.
Handel & Haydn Society The Handel & Haydn Society uses period instru-
ments and techniques in its orchestral, choral, and opera performances, yet it's as cut-
ting-edge as any other ensemble in town. Established in 1815, it's the oldest
continuously performing arts organization in the country. The company prides itself
on its creative programming of “historically informed” concerts, which it stages from
September through mid-May, with most performances at Symphony Hall and New
England Conservatory's Jordan Hall. Works by Handel and Haydn predominate but
don't take up the entire schedule.
A Major Music Festival in the Bucolic Berkshires
When the Boston Symphony Orchestra goes away for the summer, it goes to
Tanglewood ( & 413/637-5165 or 617/266-1492 out of season; www.tanglewood.
org), in Lenox, Massachusetts, a 2 1 2 -hour drive from Boston. Weekend concerts
sell out in advance, but tickets to weeknight performances and Saturday morn-
ing rehearsals are usually available at the box office. If you can't get a seat inside,
bring a blanket and picnic on the lawn. (Consult Frommer's New England for in-
depth coverage of western Massachusetts.)
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