Richmond Symphony — Local services in Richmond

A very disappointing experience. First and foremost, the Richmond Symphony allows children of all ages to attend, including babes in arms. As a result, despite sitting in premium priced seats in the center mezzanine, we were subjected to listening to a small child/infant somewhere behind us scream and cry out repeatedly throughout the duration of the performance. As we were exiting after the performance, I did see a mother with a baby in her arms. In addition, an adult patron sitting in front of us in the center mezzanine TALKED to her companion DURING THE PERFORMANCE no less than five times at my count. Do Richmonders not know proper etiquette at the symphony? As a former season ticket holder in a large city, I have attended the symphony countless times in my lifetime. I have never, however, experienced what I experienced at the Richmond Symphony. Unfortunately, it marred the performance. To the extent I was contemplating purchasing season tickets, I am no longer doing so. In fact, I am in no rush to return this season at all. As an aside, the parking situation is poorly managed. Approximately 90 minutes before the performance, several of us were turned away from a nearly empty parking lot directly across from the theater by the attendant. Upon entering the lot, he informed us that all of the spots were prepaid. He then direct us to drive around the lot and exit. When we asked him where we CAN park, he literally responded, "I can't help you with that." I followed several other cars down the block to enter a parking structure only to discover that it was for monthly parking only. At that point, other symphony patrons in their cars asked me for help finding a parking location. So we all drove farther away from the theater before finding a parking structure that would allow us to park. As we were paying, the attendant informed us that the structure would be closed at 5:30. I pointed out that the performance was scheduled to go until 5:00 and that I suspected some patrons could not make it back to the parking structure by 5:30. He disputed when the performance would end, saying the performance would end at 4:30. He simply was wrong about that. Thus, the parking situation is far from ideal and is very poorly coordinated. All in all, not at all what I expected when attending the...

We just received advertisement for the Richmond Symphony 25/26 season and actually live within walking distance to where most performances are held.

The price to attend is fine but we are on the fence as to whether or not we will go again. Unfortunately the symphony is too caught up in being hip, and inclusive, and their overall program suffers for it.

Our last performance was Beethoven's 9th, my favorite. We usually opt for matinee performances, but could only make the evening event. The 8:00 p.m. start time is late, but we were willing to make a sacrifice to hear this piece.

What was forced on us before Beethoven's masterpiece was a commissioned piece by an African-American composer, which dealt with the African diaspora. The two pieces had no similarities whatsoever and honestly the commission piece heavily borrowed from Aaron Copeland's Appalachian Spring.

It was close to 9:30 by the time Beethoven's legendary classic was performed. By that time I was both tired and annoyed. Mind you, most of the attendees were white, retirement age, and, most likely well-off. Exactly that same demographic who both donate and subsidize this Symphony.

If the Richmond Symphony wants to commission or host music to meet their DEI goals, I'm all for it. But why not host a separate performance devoted to that? Perhaps because not many people would attend??

Or alternatively, why not perform Beethoven's 9th that evening at the scheduled 8:00 p.m.? That way the people who wanted to stay for the later piece would be welcome to do so. I'm willing to bet that many, if not most people, would have bailed.

My husband and I support all of the local theater companies on a regular basis, and I have supported live music for 40+ years. But we are also willing to travel in order to see the best performances, and do so numerous...

I am a regular patron of the Richmond Symphony. They can me matched to any great symphony. The theatre is amazing, the ushers are always very pleasant, there are great restaurants around, and parking is a lot easier than you think. Plan to pay 5 to 8 dollars in parking. There is a lot right across the street and a few garages with in a two block radius. Capital Ale House and the Penny Lane Pub are really great restaurants. Or for something a little higher class, Pasture is good and there is a restaurant on Grace and 6th right across the street from the theatre. I forget the name of the restaurant and they don't have a website, but it is really good. Centerstage is within walking distance to the Marriott, Hilton, and the John Marshall hotels, so it is very easy for visitors. Overall, it is a...