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Is Encore Park too ‘noisy’ for classical?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Friday in Alpharetta, the Atlanta Symphony plays its final classical concert of its inaugural summer at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park. It’s been a season of success for the suburban venue, mostly, with new audiences for the orchestra but also lingering doubts about the heavily amplified pavilion’s suitability for the classical genre. It’s a story in progress, and we want your voice in it.
ASO vice president of marketing Charlie Wade estimates that up to 75 percent of Encore Park’s audiences for the pavilion’s classical concerts come from Alpharetta and points north. Total classical tickets sold for seven events (excluding the May 10 gala opening night) will approach 25,000.
That’s about five times more that what the ASO used to draw for its all-classical summer shows in Symphony Hall.
“A lot of this has been about introducing the orchestra to people who haven’t heard it before,” said Wade, adding that it’s still too soon to gauge how many of these new fans will drive to Symphony Hall in Midtown for main-season concerts, where the ASO does its best work.
But the flip side of Encore Park’s success was recently summarized by a mildly irate patron in an e-mail to the AJC: “Is Encore Park Too ‘Noisy’ For Classical Music?”
ASO officials have described the amphitheater, which they built and own, as “a revenue-generating exercise,” and thus rock acts dominate the summer calendar, with ASO concerts and community events (like high school graduations) in the mix.
Myra Whitney of Blairsville wrote this in a recent e-mail:
“I’ve attended two classical concerts at Encore Park in Alpharetta. While the music was quite enjoyable, there was a background noise especially noticeable during the quieter passages. The noise sounds rather like that generated by exhaust fans from a restaurant. The venue itself is very nice but this very distracting noise really makes it difficult to immerse yourself in the music.”
So now we open the floor for discussion. What’s your take on the sound and general classical ambiance at Encore Park? If you’ve been to concerts at other orchestras’ summer pavilion homes, like the Boston Symphony’s Tanglewood music shed, Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl or Chicago Symphony’s Ravinia, how do these compare with Encore Park?
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment | Categories: Classical Music
Comments
By Jason
August 7, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this
It sounds like ASO needs to do a better job of selecting which pieces of music to play. While I haven’t been to Encore Park, I have been to other similar venues such as the Hollywood Bowl. There is always noise. People klinking wine glasses, people moving around, fussy children who wouldn’t have been taken to a concert hall, airplanes flying overhead, insects chirmping looking for a mate, etc.
Being outdoors simply requires different music than what one would select for an indoor facility. That doesn’t mean that it can not be classical type music. One of the most popular concerts in other cities is the Night at the Pops. The music must accomidate the venue because in the uncontrollable outdoors, the venue can not be made to accomidate the music.
By Charlie Wade
August 7, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this
Pierre,
One of our players told me that in his 39 years of playing outdoor concerts in atlanta this is the most quiet venue he’s ever witnessed.
Is there some ambient noise sure - it’s outdoors afterall and so cicadas sometimes chirp and birds occasionally sing which you can hear on the lawn. But this audience is really listening and very little else is going. it’s been one of the wonderful aspects of the venue for the Orchestra.
Charlie
By L.H.Hiers
August 8, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this
We have been to Encore Park four times this summer for two symphony performances and two rock concerts. Tonight we are attending the symphony’s final classical concert of the season. Encore Park is a fantastic venue and as Alpharetta residents we feel very lucky to have something this nice in our community. There will always be some ambient noise at an outside venue but the overall experience and the symphony’s performances have been absolutely wonderful. We just wish beers were not $7.
By Belinda
August 8, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this
We are attending our 4th classical concert tonight at VZ. We are also ASO subscribers to the classical season. Of course it’s not as quiet as in Symphony Hall, but it’s a whole lot quieter than Chastain. It has been so fabulous to see so many new attendees listening and appreciating classical music. Also so wonderful to see all of the young people who are attending with their parents. BRAVO ASO for being risk takers and thinking out of the box to support classical music and reach new audiences! Belinda
By Steve Lyons
August 8, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
My family enjoyed the music of La Boheme at Encore Park. However, there is one BIG problem with the venue - the main section is slanted so you CAN NOT see people at the front of the stage. The slope of the main section aims directly at the stage, thus when you look at the stage, all you see are heads, unless you get lucky now and then and all the people in front of you happen to leave a small opening to pear through. You can see the video screens high above and the english translation at the top of the stage. The only seats with a good view of people on the stage are in the Orchestra, with binoculars on the lawn or the front rows of the main section.
Unfortunately, it appears the only fix to this situation is a massive redesign and rebuilding of the main section, so I doubt it is ever addressed. I can’t believe the designers overlooked this MAJOR PROBLEM.
By Charles
August 9, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this
We are Alpharetta residents and long time patrons of the ASO and can not say enough good things about Verizon . The concerts this summer have all been very enjoyable and we hope successful.
By Arlene
August 13, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this
Symphony was lovely: Ohlsson was fabulous but at $60.00 per seat, sitting in bridge chairs on top of the other person is very uncomfortable and distracting.
Also, the Amphitheater itself is not particularly attractive with no green space around it. and no lawn area. Much too much concert. No picnic baskets are allowed. inside the amphitheater,
By Brad
September 16, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
Just keep drinking the ASO Kool-Aid like a good little patron, but don’t forget to make your regular contribution in all of the excitement because we all know it takes tens of millions of dollars to play that music. After all, it is the stupendous ASO! They could never do any wrong in your eyes.