Amsterdam, Concertgebouw
While I'm not as big a fan of classical music as Joanne, who attends Cleveland Orchestra concerts about once a month, I still thought we should go to a concert at Amsterdam's famed Concertgebouw. Like Cleveland's Severance Hall, the Concertgebouw is considered to be acoustically one of the finest concert halls in the world.
The hall, which opened in 1888, exudes history from its architecture to the names of composers lining the walls. It feels like a shrine to classical music. From our seats on the floor we looked up to the orchestra on its raised stage.
Unlike Severance Hall, there is no "nose-bleed" balcony section where the ticket price is low because you're so far away. We bought tickets—about $34 each, our only choice—and were about halfway back and on the side.
When she handed us the tickets the staff person told us that we could use them to get on any bus or tram for free for three hours before and after the concert. What a simple and clever way to promote the use of public transportation. This should become standard practice in American cities as well.
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