North Carolina Symphony Orchestra

Traditional Strauss/Gershwin New Year's Eve show at Duke Energy Center in Raleigh. Audience was in a good mood, some very nicely dressed (tuxes, etc). They allowed drinks at your seats, which was nice. Very relaxed and fun. Non-technical program, it was just for fun. Conductor was having a great time. The only negative was that it wasn't a very enthusiastic audience - - at the end, which included the Radetsky March and an Auld Lang Syne singalong, there was tepid participation - which took a little fun out of it. Would be great to enthusiastically bring in the New Year like they do in Vienna.

We attended the NC Symphony live performance of the music played for the movie Home Alone. What a great way to kick off the holidays! My wife has always been a huge fan of Home Alone and watching it with the scores played live was like watching it for the first time. Things can get stressful with the approaching holidays so it was nice to see her smile and laugh again. The venue makes for a great date night and there are plenty of things to do before and after nearby. The music played was amazing and completely seamless. As in it would take me a second to register the music was being played live - it was so spot on! Excellent experience that I highly recommend to anyone!

I was expecting an interpretation of U2's music by the NC Symphony not the Symphony backing up a cover band with a front man who not only didn't know the words to some of the songs but whose voice is more suited for the hair band era.

Holy cow amazing music and artistry! This was so amazing my tough guy date was even impressed.

This event was the NC Symphony Event that I have been to at the Amphitheater. My expectations were more than met. The artistry of the musicians combined with the grace and athleticism of the Circus performers was breath taking. I enjoyed how neither the musicians nor the Circus performances blended together to create a wonderful and enjoyable evening.

We went because of a concert requirement for a class my child was taking in college. My family of 4 went while 2 of the 4 came reluctenctly....After they began to play my children's dispositions changed and they (we) loved it! It began to rain so hard that we had to run under cover. My children wanted to stay until the end, but when we couldn't hear the symphony play we left (after 3/4 of concert). Would reccommend families to attend any symphony - a great family memory was created!

I not only attended the concert - I was given the opportunity to perform. Play with the Pros is a great concept. The venue was amazing. The weather held out, and it was a fun time overall. Show up early, get the picnic set, close friends watching...then perform with the symphony... It was like old times! The acoustics were surprisingly solid for an outdoor venue. The selections were great for a novice audience. Nothing too abstract or obscure to scare folks away. Also, not all trite crowd-pleasers either. Would do it again and would recommend friends to attend. Great family event. Later in the season would be tough at Koka Booth... with steamy NC weather, but early in the season, in the spring... AWESOME!

I took my two grandsons 12 and 17 who had never heard a symphony Orchestra play live. The hook was "you guys know all about video game music, you are my experts" Would you like to attend a concert of video game music?" I asked each boy separatly and both said "Cool, Yeh- that would be fun." And fun it was. I did not tell them about the video screen that would show parts of the games while the orchestra played. That was my extra surprize. We ordered our picnic food on-line. It was waiting as promised when we arrived. Parking was easy and the staff very helpful. I did not know about chairs but the rentals were convienent. We had a brief but intense shower in the second half of the program but our seating gave us a little protection. My husband and I have attended many concert performances but this one was especially fun for it allowed our very "hip" grandsons to experience the symphony in a way that I hope will bring them back for some of the classical genre that we so love. It was womderful to see so many young people, children and 20/30 somethings that we don't see in standard programs. Hopefully the seeds planted by this new but excellent music performance will sprout symphony goers and supporters for years to come.

I am not an avid game player, but I still enjoyed the display of video clips that accompanied their melodical themes. Some images were well-coordinated with the emotion of the music. The performance honored a subculture and its history which enhanced my perspective towards gaming as a respected hobby. People all over the world of all ages identify themselves through these games, and they have invested limitless time, conversation, and money towards this lifestyle. To bring that universal entertainment into the "high" art of symphony was an innovative and inspiring combination. The instrumental aspect was of course, superb, as to be expected. The show was also enriched by famous guests that joined the players, and the host shared informative facts about the games' statistics and creation. It felt both personal and professional; the band played on with a spirit of determination and positive energy despite the rain. I purchased the CD / DVD which is a decent production from Prague to serve as a memory of the event, but it couldn't really compare, and it lacked several of the most popular games (Mario, Zelda, Final Fantasy). I also loved that the show was conducted at the park in Cary because it was family friendly. My public soapbox would be a request that such events offer less expensive ticket deals so they can be available to the "common" man & woman who unfortunately, don't get exposure and hence, don't develop appreciation for such events or feel limited in their ability to attend them.

We really enjoyed the "video game" symphony. The music, sound and grounds were awesome. Very nice place !!!!!!

Excellent show and beautiful setting!!! Great place to pinic and sit under the stars!

Anyone who grew up with Nintendo or Sega will love this walk down memory lane. Listening to the music of long loved games like Mario Bros., Legend of Zelda, and Sonic the Hedgehog, brought back a lot of fun memories. The venue was beautiful and the atmosphere was very relaxed.

This event never ceases to amaze me. Event though a rain storm swept in close to the end an soaked many of us, the music and images kept us glued to our seats and to the screen.

For the most part it was awesome. I would have suggested more music that the gamers would have been into. Some of the metroid music, metal gear solid, final fantasy 7 and 8 music. i know there were time constraints , however some of the other stuff could have been left out. Over all though it was an awesome performance.i would go again. Cant beleive there was no MGS music

So, even though it started raining 3/4 of the way through the concert, and everyone got soaked, this concert was entirely worth it all. The music was of course spectacular, the orchestra was amazing, the chorus was wonderful. Altogether a fantastic show!

It was a nice evening, and nostalgic for the parents to hear and see snippets of games gone by. My younger children enjoyed the pieces from the games they were familiar with. However, I think that the ones that enjoyed this event the most were probably the teen to young adult gamers; most of the music came from the more sophisticated games that they play.

Stephen Hough is able to bring people to tears. His flawless technique and terrific interpretation of Rachmaninoff combined inevitably to result in a fantastic performance of the Russian's legendary Piano Concerto No. 2! Hopefully Mr. Hough will return to Raleigh in the future to give another superb performance!

it was great to see musicians from different backgrounds working together, The sould in Meymandi Hall is great. Wow, hope you were there.

Idina Menzel bounced onto the stage barefoot and fancy free. This was not your typical symphony performance. Idina was almost child like in her enthusiasm and made everyone feel as if we were at a private performance. From the songs she and husband, Taye Diggs, composed for their son, Walker to Defying Gravity, Idina showed a range that proves that she is an artist with the world in her hands. GO SEE HER, you won't regret it.

My wife had been sick and this was her first night out and what a night is was! She enjoys the Symphony anyhow, but this a great night for both of us! Thanks, Rich

I drove three and a half hours to witness this spectacular event. Needless to say, Joshua Bell was exactly as we expected OUTSTANDING!!!!! I also enjoyed the North Carolina Symphony, especially the Holst Suite in Eb. As a concert band clarinetist it was wonderful to hear this piece orchestrated. Of course, I would recommend hearing and seeing Joshua Bell to everyone, but would also recommend taking the time to hear the Symphony also. Very enjoyable evening.

A night with the Symphony is always recommended. New Years Eve with the Symphony is something that must be experienced at least once. I expect to attend next year and also give tickets as gifts to friends. Hors d'oeuvres and drinks pre-concert. The Symphony at Meymandi. Dinner and Dancing. Fireworks finale. I'd not have done it differently.

Love this beautiful outdoor venue. Symphony plays amazingly. Not a fan of Petty s but it sounded ok. The singer didn t quite connect.

The tribute to Tom Petty by the NC symphony was amazing! Great show, great location, great time!

NC Symphony's patriotic July 4th concert, named Star and Stripes Forever, was a fantastic way to start off our holiday celebration. As always the music was inspiring and festive. Familiar pieces as well as more obscure tunes made for a well balanced concert experience.

Great way to celebrate the 4th of July listening to great music!

This as supposed to be a Spanish music and dancing night, and may have even had a flamenco dancer picture on the promo. However, none were there during the concert. I heard a rumor of some an hour before, but that was not stated anywhere. This was a disappointing ripoff.

I had never seen the film "Amadeus." Seeing it on a huge screen with the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra playing the music live in front of the screen was the way to see it! It was a truly memorable evening.

Exceptional experience seeing the NC Symphony and chorale perform the music tracks to one of my favorite films.

Love symphony but this program left me wanting more symphony and less movie. Was too distracted by movie to really enjoy the live music. Plus too many long breaks during dialogue portion of movie where there was no music at all. Expensive lesson learned

I'm 53 and have perfectly normal hearing. But, wow, the movie sound was too low, and the music, played by these amazing musicians, should have been surging through the theatre. It's Mozart! Instead, it was almost as though we were in the adjacent room and spying on a rehearsal. TURN IT UP. I want to feel the music in my bones. It was an $86 ticket. Not even remotely worth it. I could have stayed home and turned up the volume on my TV and it would have more effect upon me. This is a great movie. Let's hear it. These are world-class musicians. Let's hear them.

One of may favorite movies paired with my favorite symphony, perfection!

This concert ranks among the best ever for me. the music was just unbelievfable. Such great harmony and skills.

Watching and listening to the Kruger Brothers and the NC Symphony perform immediately transforms me into a relaxed, happy person and to a peaceful place. Our only complaint about the event had to do with our seats being just far back enough in the orchestra to be under the overhang from the upstairs seats and right by the speaker the venue provides. Whether it was the settings for the evening or just the way things are transmitted through the system, the Kruger Brothers so overwhelmed the rest of the orchestra, that we asked to have our seats changed for the second act. When we moved further up to some unclaimed seats all of the musicality was available. WHAT AN ABSOLUTE TREAT IT WAS TO SEE NOT ONLY THE KRUGER BROTHERS AND THE SYMPHONY BUT WINSTON MARSALIS AS WELL.

I was amazed at how the symphony and the Kruger Brothers sound was so amazing. Please try to have them back soon for another concert.

I ve seen the Kruger Brothers three times and have thoroughly enjoyed each concert. Extremely talented and enjoyable.

The NC symphony never disappoints. NC is lucky to have such a professional group of musicians. Their principal clarinetist, Sam Almaguer, was a soloist at this concert and was amazing. I ve never liked the sound of a clarinet so much. Very talented young musician.

As always, Ben Folds delivers. I love seeing him perform live, but with the North Carolina Symphony he is simply perfection.

When adding an amazing performer like Ben Folds to a mind blowingly talented group of professionals like the Raleigh symphony, you get the greatest show I have ever seen. Clocking in right at 2 hours long, the night flew by and I wish it had gone on 2 more hours. Thank you symphony. Thank you Ben Folds.

The acoustics were terrible. Couldn't hear the vocals. I have seen Ben before and was looking forward to this show. I was very disappointed.

Ben Folds and the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra was absolutely awe-inspiring and breathtaking.

It was absolutely amazing! Easy to find, parking was decent, & seat comfy. Would definitely recommend!

I took my husband to the Star Wars symphony for his birthday and we both absolutely loved it! The performance completely exceeded our expectations and we would love the opportunity to go again!

David Glover knows how to conduct the music of John Williams well. Like David Glover, I think that Across the Stars, from Attack of the Clones, is one of the most beautiful melodies Williams ever composed. It makes sitting through the infamous Fireplace Scene worth it. Can t wait for A New Hope in the fall!

It's been a while since I've been to the symphony and this event made me realize I need to go more regularly! We took our 14 year old son and he loved this event as well. Just realizing the talent on that stage was amazing. You could tell they all loved playing the music. Meymandi Concert Hall has wonderful acoustics no matter where you sit.

This was my first time attending a symphony and I was extremely pleased with the performance. I look forward to going again.

This show was fantastic! It honored our beloved Prince by allowing his fans to party to some of his greatest hits. The performers were stunning! Marshall Charloff is not Prince, but he did a wonderful job in the vocals and playing the guitar to give us all the "feel" of Prince. The saxophone player, Marcus Anderson was wonderful. The NC Symphony was exceptional and really added a great feel to the music. This show is highly recommended for any Prince fan, you will NOT be disappointed.

Great venue! Every seat is great! Top quality sound!

Lang Lang was fascinating. So engaged with the audience. So personable onstage. Very expressive. The Orchestra and guest conductor, Karina Canellakis, were flawless. Loved every second of it.

The orchestra and chorus were wonderful. Hearing this music live was much more powerful than any recorded version. The conductor had a great sense of humor, and the lead singer is a fantastic talent. But the show was billed as a "*Star Trek* and Sci Fi spectacular." Disappointingly, there was a quick medley of Trek TV series theme music in the first half, and a section of the 2009 Star Trek movie in the second. Most of the rest was John Williams music and others thrown, which was GREAT. However, Star Trek episodes and movies have GREAT music in them and I was really looking forward to hearing themes and suites from them. The opening of ST: TMP, the battle music for Kirk vs. Spock in Amok Time, the tension of The Doomsday Machine, are all powerful and it would have been great to hear them, as short as they are, even as a medley. With 6 series and more than a dozen movies, there is plenty to have a true "Star Trek Music Spectacular" on its own. I would definitely attend the show again; just don't mislead me on what the content will be.

Excellent show. I would recommend to all ages. Entertaining and interactive with the audience. Took my mother and she had a great time. It is great for the soul!

A rousing and unforgettable experience. Exhilarating renditions of La Folia and Double Concert for Violin among others. She was stomping the beat on the floor! I couldn't sit still in my seat. I got tickets very cheap last minute and feel I got the greatest bargain.

Piano half was great, but should've been second. I was a little bummed the sold wine,. It you could not drink it in the theater.

We're not big Beatles fans but wow what a night. The talent on stage and the level of entertainment was top notch. My wife said it was one of our best dates ever. Lots of fun. We'll be back to the symphony for sure v

The accommodations were very good, including the seating, and the view, I was in a Box seat. The music was off the chart! I literally, could of stayed and listened all night. Alas, all things must come to an end... I highly recommend this concert hall, and all the fine musicians. It was a beautiful and memorable event. I plan on returning, and I know every performance will be up to an outstanding standard of musical excellence. Oh, did I mention I got there 45 minutes early? I parked across the street well within walking distance, however a nice usher picked my wife and I up in their cart and saved us the walk. That was very courteous and helpful, I believe all the staff deserve an honorable mention.

Just what you would expect from a wizarding world of Harry Potter. A little magic, a little ambiance, a dash of unforgettable, and heaping helping of amazing scores from the orchestra. Bravo!

The Symphony played beautifully in a variety of works. Mr. Llewellyn was on point and Mr. Thibaudet gave a marvellous performance as well as a beautiful solo encore. A very enjoyable evening.

Boyz II Men with the NC Symphony was absolutely AMAZING!!! The melodic sounds of the instruments accompanied by the harmonic voices of the group was something everyone should experience!

Boyz II Men put on a wonderful show with beautiful music and amazing harmony.

We loved the concept and overall it was beautiful. Our only criticisms were that sometimes the music was too loud and the voices on the sound system were difficult to hear. Despite this we absolutely loved the production and would go again to a similar one. Casablanca is our favorite movie, so this was a perfect one to introduce the concept. One recommendation I have is for the orchestra to play a little longer after the credits end--a kind of finale. THANKS for a great evening with both our favorite movie and the opportunity to hear the North Carolina Symphony. We would definitely attend another such performance.

Who can resist a classic old movie in the original black and white? Casablanca is one of those. They digitally removed most of the music from the movie and replaced it with live orchestra music. Great job. Enjoyed it a lot.

Memorial Hall at UNC Chapel Hill is the best venue in the area for concerts. There are no bad seats. The acoustics are outstanding and the size of the hall allows one to feel an intimacy with the performance. NCS was in top form: we went for the Brandenburg but came away in love with the Ravel piece as well. The young french horn player and the marvelous tenor gave me a new appreciation for Britten.

I purchased tickets to this year's NC Symphony Halloween event on the spur of the last moment. I was still able to get excellent seats for myself, my Husband and our seven year old Granddaughter. I'm not sure who enjoyed the event more, the audience (ages 2 to 92) or the talented "Phantoms" performing to the magic of the Orchestra Conductors' Baton. The entire performance was definitely enhanced by the "Apprentice Conductor" and the "Phantom" of the Orchestra!! Our seven year old Granddaughter couldn't take her eyes off the performers, a certain seal of approval at that age when attention span is a precious commodity! Lastly, my Husband, who prefers Hard Rock, even admitted to having enjoyed himself at the event! Thanks so much to the NC Symphony for providing such priceless entertainment for Fans of all Ages!

If you like video games, the symphony or both, this is something you want to check out. The costume contest is super fun, the show itself is enthralling and Mr. Tallarico is incredibly entertaining. He is also really nice.

I purchased tickets to this event as a surprise to my husband for his birthday. He totally enjoyed the concert. The symphony as a whole and Grant Llewellyn kept our attention the entire time. It was a joy!

An amazing display of whit, grace, skill and strength! As usual, the symphony was superb. We cannot wait until next year! If they come back I will purchase tickets AS SOON AS THEY GO ON SALE!

Enjoyed the music and the atmosphere in the packed New Bern Convention Center. What I did not like was the seating arrangement and ambiance. HOWEVER I DID ENJOY THE EVENT! It was wonderful and definitely put you in the holiday spirit. Next time, the stage should be tiered so that those sitting level on the convention center floor can see more than the first row of strings. That being said, the center is not well configured for such a symphony. Too flat and muffled.

Was a definite must see for all. Box seats r the way to go for sure. Had a wonderful view and plenty of leg room.

The Bela Fleck performance with the NC Symphony contained many facets of musical excellence. The NC Symphony performed flawlessly continually reminding us of the great musical resource we are privileged to have in our state. Their breakout NC Symphony Bluegrass Band along with several musical guests were good additions complimenting the theme and evening of music. It is always interesting to see classically trained violinists play bluegrass.....and yes, some dressed for the occasion. Let the stars shine. Bela Fleck pleased both 'Bela Fans' and 'Classical Fans' with his 'Impostor' work for symphony in three movements taking his 5 string banjo and NC Symphony into uncharted musical territory. If you have not heard The Imposter....get the CD....or better yet arrange to attend a future performance of Fleck in his symphonic travels and appearances. A great evening of genius musical performance right here in North Carolina. Future man is smiling.

Conductor Jack Everly and the Cary Concert singers made for a great show

I am a long time fan of both scifi and classical music, so this combination is a lot of fun. The orchestra and choir were great and the conductor did a fine job of tying it all together with information and humor. Takei seemed a bit awkward, but was still great to see. Having all the excellently done Star Wars characters in the lobby before was very enjoyable and funny to watch as they took photo after photo with the lines of people of all ages there. Well worth the time and I would attend such an event again. It is great to see an orchestra be able to do both serious and popular work with equal enthusiasm and energy.

I must say this was the most disappointing performance of the NC Symphony I've experienced!!! I wasn't sure if the guest conductor was completely immersed in the musical moment or a frustrated ballet dancer with all the extraneous gyrations exhibited. It was downright distracting. Add to this the missed musical punctuations, assorted missed cues and the oh so painful final violin note... OY! That note made my teeth hurt! And the 'conductor' gave no indication to the violinist he was off the proper pitch. Generally I am a huge fan of the NC Symphony performances; this was not one.

Lincoln Portrait is one of the most inspiring of all of Copeland's work. David Hartman did it justice and the symphony was awesome under Maestro Curry. The photographs were extremely powerful and added to the performance. The opening with Johnny Comes Marching Home had me out of my seat from the get go. Unfortunately, it went downhill with The Wound Dresser. The soloist has a great baritone voice but the material lacked a focus and the orchestration was uninspiring and never ending. The Ives piece was slow to begin but built nicely for a grand finale to another wonderful evening with the NC Symphony.

Really great performance. I wish it were a little longer. More movie music would have been nice. I love the Star Trek & Star Wars music. The Planets gets a little long. Some of the movements are great but some just put me to sleep to be honest.

This was such a special treat! I have seen Ben Folds perform several times, yet this weekend was the first time I'd seen him backed by a full orchestra. Folds explained on stage that when he writes songs, he has the symphony part already written in his head, so that many of his songs cannot be fully appreciated unless they are heard performed with a full orchestra. This was best exemplified with "Steven's Last Night in Town," which utilized the entire wind section in a dynamically arranged composition. I was most impressed with how Folds used the symphony to execute an improvisation, for I was watching audio art be created, as he called out parts to one instrument section at a time. The view from above was spectacular -- just magnificent! When little parts of the orchestra performed at different times for different songs, it was magical, like watching a finely choreographed ballet perform poetry in motion... major eye candy.

Would see Ben Folds again and again in any context, but with the symphony is a special treat.

The soloist is particularly good.B Brahms symphony no. 4 is also quite good.

Very good concert, with amazing guest musician, Yu. Wonderful Brahms evening.

Wonderful time in box seats, overlooking the orchestra. Enjoyed the music - it was fantastic! I just wish they would have played longer, as the event lasted right at an hour. I could have listened all day!

A truly skilled group of musicians who are masters of their craft. A fantastic concert regardless of what is being performed.

The music was breathe taking . the singing by the base singer it was breath taking . The dancers were awesome they were really great. The whole show was breath taking I would have watched it again I would have bought tickets to come back the next night IT WAS RELLY EXCELLENT

Great show. Easy parking. Great Venue. I doubt there are any bad seats to see the stage. It was a very enjoyable performance and the symphony was terrific

This performance at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts on 3/17/18 at 3:00 p.m. was superb. Every element was fabulous and they did a wonderful job bringing in guest performers who were all excellent.

The event itself was great; I liked it a lot. The seats were really cramped - I'm 5'8" and I thought it was tight - my husband is 6'5" and he couldn't sit without his legs going to sleep, so he had to stand along the back wall periodically through the show. The arm rests can't go up either so they were digging into his side the whole time, where I had some extra room that I would have shared if the arm rest could have gone up. All in all, really nice show but I don't think he'll agree to go to another show at this venue.

This event was very enjoyable. We liked the variety of music and performances but would have liked more Irish step dancers, there were only 4.

St. Paddy's day was complete with beautiful music from our own symphony, but we had the pleasure of an outstanding soprano and tenor and a tale told from the old country from a wonderful actor - and the dancers!!!! WOW!!! It was a spendid afternoon!

All around amazing show, so uplifting and beautiful!

I just thought it would be the symphony playing, but they had entertainers included and it was a really amazing show! I would love to see it again and wished they had offered more nights or at least a day show for kids. Overall, it was a great time!

The NC Symphony music of Michael Jackson was AWESOME!!!! The symphony was great as always, and the singers and band were fantastic too. The guy singing MJ was incredible!! Some of the slower ballads especially gave me goosebumps. Really good! One thing ... I don t know why you can t take photos in there. If there s no flash, what difference does it make to take pictures???

The symphony is good, but why is there NO DIVERSITY in the symphony, it should be a better representation of all the people in the state of NC.

I love LOVE love our NC Symphony.....talented, professional and always a class act! The ushers are always friendly and helpful. Fortunately, I ve always been seated around great people. The venue is beautiful. Roam the halls before or after the performance to take in the unique art on display. Experience the symphony at least once in your life....but, I recommend going more!

My only complaint was the heat in the venue. We were sweating before the show began.

The show was very enjoyable! The playing of MJ s hits was great by the symphony and the gentleman performing with his band was awesome! Having the kids come on stage was also special! Great night and time!

I hope as highly impressed with the show. The music was amazing!

This was a great performance, except for his background singers. They didn't harmonise well at all. I did respect that he stated he is not a imitator, but this is to pay respect. That allowed me to enjoy tje show without doing a comparison. Great Show.

My daughter and I had a fantastic time! The symphony always puts on a great show.

This symphony was an amazing event. It was packed out. The orchestra was right on point. The actors were engaging. They were amazing singers. Everything worked together to create a magical atmosphere.

The orchestra and the singers were great, beyond my expectation ! The seating, section A, row F, 136, was rather disappointing for the price. I should have gotten farther back and toward the center area.

What a wonderful show! My 14yr old daughter (an aspiring soprano herself!) and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. It was such a different way to experience one of my favorite musicals--just the music, singing & acting, without the set or elaborate props and costume changes. We were able to fully focus on the characters, their expressions and their raw talent. Can't wait to see another one!

The symphony was super. The cast of six people managed to produce an outstanding rendition. Took my daughter , mom, and aunt - they all enjoyed the show!