Home > ATLarts > Archives > 2008 > May > 11 > Entry
Opening Night at Encore Park
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Atlanta Symphony is in the business of presenting concerts — its own orchestral shows and, increasingly, rock acts that generate the kind of money classical performances can’t match.
To that end, the ASO’s $35 million Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, an outdoor pavilion in the northern suburb of Alpharetta, opened for business Saturday night. [For background articles, click here and here.]
Nostalgia rock bands dominate the summer calendar, but the ASO claimed the inaugural concert for itself, adding its world-supreme chorus, and then over-loading the evening with extras from a jazz trio to local high school marching bands to fireworks.
Somehow it worked, mostly. Low humidity and good spirits settled over the early-summer evening, and the 12,000-seat pavilion, it turns out, has good feng shui. Designed primarily by Minnesota’s KKE Architects, Encore Park’s vibe is pleasant and bright, the seats comfortable, the sightlines clear, the aisles wide, the crowd flow manageable, and parking a breeze. Cameras on stage and big screens above let us peer into the ensemble to see a flutist pucker up for a prominent solo or a triangle adding sparkle.
Opening night attendance was just a little over 7,300, however. Next week, a more revealing stress-test of the facility comes when veteran rockers the Eagles’ play four sold-out shows.
Encore Park was designed to meet several goals. It’s a new entertainment destination for a booming region. It’s available for community rentals, like high school graduations. It’s also, as ASO chief financial officer Don Fox has put it, part of the ASO’s “financial solution” against a $4.5 million debt and mostly flat ticket sales in Symphony Hall.
Concessions are a major part of any venue’s income. At Encore Park the food services are located to each side of the stage, in full view of the audience. Light smoke and the smell of grilled meat wafted across the crowd. Like Pavlov’s dog, I got very hungry. (My Angus beef burger was dry and the bun ice cold; the fries were flavorful and crispy.)
The amphitheater is also billed as the new home of the ASO’s summertime classical concerts, relocated from Symphony Hall. To gauge the acoustics, I sat on the main floor for the first half, switched to the upper seats for the second. The stage is so high, the amphitheater so expansive, that the musicians appear far away no matter where you sit.
But while spirits were high opening night, a essential ingredient — the sound — was boomy, out of balance, strident and unacceptable as a sonic norm. And ambient white noise, from multiple generators and the chatter of crowds on the lawn, drowned out the orchestra when the playing was quiet.
Almost everything can get a pass on a hectic opening night. Undoubtedly the sound engineers will learn to better cope with the demands of acoustic instruments. But the chance to attract new listeners to classical concerts will be lost if the music is distant and distorted and the best part of the evening is the ambiance.
Is this a surprise? The need to maximize revenue for heavily amplified rock shows comes at a cost to the sonic refinements required by an orchestra.
The first musical notes heard at the new venue — a ritornello by Monteverdi — came from the Milton High School Marching Band, followed by Robert Spano conducting the ASO in the National Anthem and then, mercifully, just nine minutes of speeches. Said Alpharetta Mayor Arthur Letchas: “This is a great night for the city of Alpharetta.”
American music by Bernstein, Copland and Gershwin (his “Rhapsody in Blue,” with the Marcus Roberts Trio improvising the solo piano part) filled the rest of the opening half.
Spano’s manic energy enlivened the “Ode to Joy” Finale from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, and the orchestra played with commendable zest. Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” capped the evening. With the ASO joined by the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra and Milton and Alpharetta high schools marching bands, it made a tremendous and joyful noise.
Permalink | Comments (37) | Post your comment | Categories: Classical Music
Comments
By Dunwoody_Joe
May 11, 2008 6:55 AM | Link to this
What a magnificent evening!
Sure, some of the details of this new venue need to be cleaned up—restrooms, food, sound. But overall, what memorable night. The music (and Spano) was large, electric and vibrant.
The 1812 was a moving rendition of a joyous orchestral celebration, featuring 700 musicians including the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. That finale included two full orchestras, two full marching bands, a full choir and fireworks; WOW!
A night to remember and to celebrate a great new musical venue.
By Roswellman
May 11, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this
This concert and grand opening was spectacular. The ASO’s rendition should become an annual classic for their July 4th concert. All musical selections were performed very well. Excitement seemed high. Fantastic evening.
As for the venue, I was so pleasantly surprised. Sitting under protection of a covered top, no rain outs here. I also felt quite isolated with nature. Beautiful landscaping. Easy access for my elderly parents. Easy parking. Food court with many options. Why would anyone return to Chastain? Not me.
By Poo
May 11, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this
Sux
By Kelly
May 11, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
I thought it was a beautiful opening. Of course there were some kinks to work out, but the venue itself is wonderful, and perfect for us “north siders.” I love the idea that I won’t have to fight traffic for a 7:00 Tuesday show, like I currently do trying to get downtown.
The Eagles will be a real test - different (and much bigger!) crowd, and I hope this venue shines!
By blah
May 11, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this
I left when they started playing Freebird. Even all these years later, Skynyrd still sucks.
By sniff
May 11, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this
i am not an otp-er and do not plan to drive up there to see the ASO in the midst of palladium windows and planned subdivisions with stick trees.
By funcused
May 11, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this
Not sure what event you were at, but I was towards the back of the seating (almost to the lawn) and the sound was wonderful and certainly very audible. Yes there was some ambient noise, but it was an OUTDOOR event with kids and wind and nature.
My Angus burger was very tasty, moist, and a bun is a bun.
What a great venue to re-expose children, teens, and young adults to some amazingly talented musicians and a style of music that can evoke so many emotions.
By Marbles
May 11, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
Exactly, sniff. I mean, I would much rather head down town, sit in traffic and get to watch the crack deals and “ladies of the evening” that make being ITP sooooo attractive.
By midtown
May 11, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
Congratulations ASO, Maestro Spano & all who participated!! Nice facility. Sounded great on the lawn.
Put some miracle gro on those trees so they can block the smoke on each side. Classical Music & Hamburger smoke - a new combo!!
ASO should bring in more local groups to perform joint pieces. Nice to hear and see the High School Bands & Youth Orchestra. Future audience builder??
By jam
May 11, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
I live in the area. I’m anxious to see how the “noise level” effects the area (an active senior living center right next door, for example). I’m also curious how the Alpharetta will assist us residents when the concert traffic prevents us from getting home ! I’ve got an alternative drive home, but for the most part, I think big name event traffic on concert days are going to make the city more of a nightmare on the roads… just waiting to see.
By jam
May 11, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
I live in the area. I’m anxious to see how the “noise level” effects the area (an active senior living center right next door, for example). I’m also curious how the Alpharetta will assist us residents when the concert traffic prevents us from getting home ! I’ve got an alternative drive home, but for the most part, I think big name event traffic on concert days are going to make the city more of a nightmare on the roads… just waiting to see.
By Ron
May 11, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
It sure is nice to have a NICE venue on the NORTH side to go to. Lakewood is a dump and in a horrible part of town. It will be nice to have good, white performers play there instead of Lakewood. Lakewood will end up only getting shows for the thugs and will shut down in the end.
By ASO supporters
May 11, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this
There is enough room in Metro ATL for those who prefer ITP and OTP. Let’s embrace our differences rather than cast stones at one another. As for last night’s concert, the ASO was great and it was fun to be part of the largest live audience ever to hear our symphony. As for the new venue, power lines and corporate billboard and logos everywhere negatively impacted its ambience. The sight lines were poor, but the acoustics were great.
By HeySoose
May 11, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this
Sounds nice, but tickets are wayyyy over-priced. Guess that’s Alpharetta’s way of keeping the riff-raff out.
By Kelly
May 11, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this
The city of Alpharetta doesn’t set the ticket prices. But you knew that, of course.
By Enoch
May 11, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this
ASO Supporter… I am with you. It’s time to stop the incessant ITP/OTP chatter and enjoy all of the pleasures of Atlanta, recognizing that different people choose different environments. We have a lot more to draw us together than to keep us apart. The ASO won’t survive as a bauble to downtown. And the OPTP venues will always lag if they can’t have the ASO play there.
By PTC DAWG
May 11, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this
How do you get there on your golf cart? Where are the paths? :)
By Megan
May 11, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this
Personally, I don’t think I could pick… I spend almost equal amounts of time ITP and OTP and I can’t imagine a life of one or the other!!!
By CB
May 11, 2008 11:38 PM | Link to this
PARKING WAS SO FAR AWAY THE ONLY CHOICE YOU HAD WAS TO TAKE THE BUS, SONG SELECTION WAS UN NONE TO MOST AND VERY BORING, FOOD PRICES WERE GOUGING, $4.00 FOR A BAG OF PEANUTS, $7.00 FOR A BOTTLE BEER. LEFT RIGHT AFTER MIDWAY, NEXT TIME PLAY MORE POPULAR ARRANGEMENTS.
By CB
May 11, 2008 11:39 PM | Link to this
PARKING WAS SO FAR AWAY THE ONLY CHOICE YOU HAD WAS TO TAKE THE BUS, SONG SELECTION WAS UN NONE TO MOST AND VERY BORING, FOOD PRICES WERE GOUGING, $4.00 FOR A BAG OF PEANUTS, $7.00 FOR A BOTTLE BEER. LEFT RIGHT AFTER MIDWAY, NEXT TIME PLAY MORE POPULAR ARRANGEMENTS.
By Shubie
May 11, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this
I thought it was a fantastic opening night, and I am not sure the reviewer was at the same place I was. Was it Chastain? No - there were less people talking during the performance! And it took a lot let time to get home! When mentioning ticket prices, Chastain is not an inexpensive evening by any standard. So now we can go to either one! Keep up the good work ASO! We love that you are in North Fulton!
By fan
May 11, 2008 11:43 PM | Link to this
My husband and I went and we had a good time. I agree that the sound was a little tinny - Would have liked to have heard the orchestra without the microphones. It definitely wasn’t the same sound you’d get in an inside venue. The chorus was wonderful!
The seats are comfortable and there is plenty of seating room and leg room. Huge plus when you compare this venue to others in the Atlanta area. Didn’t feel cramped at all.
We had $5 diet cokes but can’t speak about the food.
There seemed to be some issues with plumbing - the water was brown by early intermission.
Traffic really wasn’t that bad. From the time we got into our car in the lot until we were on Hwy 9 it was maybe 20 minutes. Not great, but definitely ok.
We’ll probably go back again.
By fan
May 11, 2008 11:53 PM | Link to this
CB - are you kidding? Everything they played is VERY well known. My three year old daughter knows three of the songs they did last night.
And, have to agree with Shubie - for the most part folks were quiet. Much better than my last experience at Chastain. It was so bad I may never go back.
By John
May 12, 2008 6:44 AM | Link to this
I thought the concert was wonderful but the chairback seating is a concern. The slant of the rows is so slight that one cannot see over the person in front of you. It is very similar to the Fox and Symphony Hall Orchestra seating. The only difference is that in the other venues you can avoid this problem by sitting in the Loge or Balcony area. You have to sit on grass at Encore Park to avoid this problem.
I probably will go back once or twice or year but not for any concert where seeing the performer(s) is important.
By Oscar
May 12, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this
It’s great to have culture in Alpharetta for the first time!
Great show and neat venue. One nitpcik though. The mayor of Alpharetta spoke about the venue being green, but frankly for a new building it could use big improvements. The restroom facilities use paper towels and traditional toilets (that were leaking a lot water), rather than hand driers and auto-flush toilets. Also the recycling and waste containers were poorly thought out. There should be trash and recycling containers next to each other or else people will just throw trash in with recyclables as was the case. It would have been nice to see some solar panels and energy-friendly bulbs as well - that area gets a lot of sun. Thing big folks!
By sperry
May 12, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this
We were in the 15th row and the accoustics were impeccable. Loved the program too, except for that avant-guarde version of Rhapsody in Blue, which I did not care for. My brother loved it, however, and judging from the huge standing ovation it received, everybody else loved it, too. The food didn’t impress me much one way or the other, but the beer selection was bizarre.
By Jim
May 12, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this
Once the novelty of this place wears off, I think it will be hard to compete with Chastain which allows patrons to bring food and drink in and is part of the ambiance there. The gouge type prices of food and drink here combined with a prohibition of outside food and drink will present a real competitive problem. Then there is the offsite parking and the busing, which you don’t have at Chastain. Hopefully, like the Braves and Tuner Field did when Turner opened, the Encore Park management will see the light and change the policies to allow outside food and drink, at least in the lawn areas. After all who wants to sit on the ground and sip on $5 cokes?! There is not great value in that.
By Paul
May 12, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
Most people anticipated a few glitches. The service people didn’t understand the menu choices very well, and my vodka tonic was more watery than a bottle of Aquafina. And the sound guys were yelling at each other as if they were hard of hearing. I’m worried about the lawn, though. there is a steep dropoff covered in mulch at the bottom and I see a LOT of people slip-sliding away there, especially at the rock events. CB, this must be your first ever exposure to classical music, because all the pieces were HUGELY popular standards. Were you wanting to hear something more popular, like “Happy Birthday”?
By Tom
May 12, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this
If you have a lawn seating ticket, do not hesitate to rent one of their lawn chairs. Because of the slope of the lawn area, a regular lawn chair would tilt you forward, posing a risk to others. Their lawn chairs are specially designed to accomdate the slope.
By Martha
May 12, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
My family enjoyed a most magnificant May 10 evening at the New Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre — the venue and grounds are absolutely gorgeous, an array of food and beverage items — served fresh and delicious, and the event staff courteous and extremely helpful. The highlight of the evening being the eloquent and exhilarating orchestral performance by Robert Spano and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, joined by guest musicans and two local high school marching bands — well — it was a breathtaking performance and a thoroughly amazing evening. This venue is clearly poised to host some truly magnificent events — Thank you, Atlanta and Alpharetta!
By justabusdriver
May 12, 2008 8:09 PM | Link to this
Poo, is that your best remark? If it is, the Symphony is not in your league. Maybe you should stick with things you know. great night, looking forward to many more!! GREAT JOB….
By justabusdriver
May 12, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this
Has CB been to a Braves game lately??? Penuts are $6 for the same bag and beer is $7.50. So maybe you don’t get drunk one night and maybe enjoy the music….
By Phyllis
May 13, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this
It was a wonderful experience. I am so glad that I don’t need to use a ton of gas and time to see wonderful performances as I witnessed Saturday night.
By BPJ
May 13, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
I live in Midtown, and I agree with those who say there are things to like about many parts of metro Atlanta. And if “sniff” is going to play the role of an intown snob, he/she is going to have to learn how to spell “Palladian” (the style inspired by Andrea Palladio).
By Jonathan
May 15, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
We stayed at the Alpharetta Marriott - they have a package that includes transportation that drops you off right at the front of the venue AND you can take your cocktails on the bus. Worked perfectly!
By lynne
May 19, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this
As a former Chastain season ticket holder who gave up some years ago when even the performers themselves were turned off by the noise from the not-too-sober audience, it was refreshing to be in a venue in which people were actually LISTENING to the music. It was lovely! I’ll be back to enjoy the Atlanta version of Ravinia.
By Coop76
May 21, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
As someone who was lucky enought to watch the first half of the performance from the lawn and perform in the second half, I have to say it was a fantastic experience. A place that I will happily bring my little daughter to to let her experience classical music in nature without worrying if her conducting, and dancing is bothering anyone. May 10th was an amazing night, and I have high hopes for Encore Park and future performances. I think that this just adds another great venue to Atlanta to bring more of the arts to a larger more diversified crowd. Come out and enjoy the music and nature and maybe just maybe splurge on one of those $5 cokes. Go ahead live a little. :D