Winspear Opera House
Winspear Opera House
4.5
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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Address
Neighborhood: Downtown Dallas
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1,447 within 3 miles
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349 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
291 reviews
Excellent
207
Very good
50
Average
19
Poor
9
Terrible
6
WendyP
13 contributions
Dec 2019
Our little group visited a matinee of The Nutcracker and were expecting a professional ballet performance. The set and costumes were wonderful except it was hard to identify who the male Nutcracker was since no mask or specific costume differentiating like their program displays. The quality of the choreography was poor. Very few lifts, jumps, and professional level of ballet used to seeing in other areas. Buyer's remorse. Not even the lobby or building was adequately decorated to feel festive.
Written March 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LWJLouisiana
Louisiana75 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
We have attended several shows here and found our theatre experience to be wonderful each time. Great acoustics and view from various sections. Comfortable seating.
Our experiences with the Skyview restaurant have not been as positive. Food is mediocre. Desserts are terrible - today the cheesecake slices were served in pre-packaged boxes with plastic forks. The only thing to recommend the Skyview is its convenience.
Our experiences with the Skyview restaurant have not been as positive. Food is mediocre. Desserts are terrible - today the cheesecake slices were served in pre-packaged boxes with plastic forks. The only thing to recommend the Skyview is its convenience.
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wendy D
1 contribution
Jun 2022 • Friends
I couldn't find a place to leave a review of Oklahoma the show playing at the winspear Opera House (Dallas Texas) in June 2022. I don't normally leave reviews but I felt responsible to let people know not to go to this show. I have never disliked a show more. We went expecting singing and dancing and beautiful costumes and choreography and creativity. What we got was what looked like a line rehearsal with tables very little movement on the stage very low sound. I think it was a disgrace to the original Oklahoma . The singers were amazing and that is how I am going to try to remember it so I will give the singers if I star review but there was no dancing no choreography no costumes and very little else to be happy about the show. There was even a section in the show where the lights were completely blacked out and there were gunshots (yes they were blanks) from the stage which I think is DIS tasteful for our current climate in the United States. I couldn't wait to leave and I did leave during intermission. If I were winspear Opera House I would not let plays like this come to your venue what a beautiful upper House to offer such low quality performance. And if I had such a lovely singing voice as did some of the main characters I would never choose to be in a performance like this.
Written June 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas Preinl
Wiesbaden, Germany154 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
As an opera lover, I have visted over 500 performances in over 80 opera houses around the world. At Dallas Opera, where I saw several performances in March 2023, I was suprised to see that all orchestra members were wearing masks while the conductor and the singers did not - and apart from two asians nobody in the audience did. Corona measures were lifted, all regulations lifted, however all the instrumental musicians were wearing masks while performing.
Worried about their health I took the opportunity of the interval to talk to the managment. David told me that wearing a mask is free choice of individuals. nobody is forced. Because he bragged about his 7th vaccination, I was still wondering and raised the subject with a musician after the performance.
"They are not telling you the truth. They make us wear masks. If we dont wear masks, we could not perform."
I am sorry but I cannot enjoy a musical performance if I have the feeling that musicians are treated like this. And management that lies on top of it!
Worried about their health I took the opportunity of the interval to talk to the managment. David told me that wearing a mask is free choice of individuals. nobody is forced. Because he bragged about his 7th vaccination, I was still wondering and raised the subject with a musician after the performance.
"They are not telling you the truth. They make us wear masks. If we dont wear masks, we could not perform."
I am sorry but I cannot enjoy a musical performance if I have the feeling that musicians are treated like this. And management that lies on top of it!
Written October 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
divefan
St. Helena, CA615 contributions
Feb 2023
We opted to eat at the Grand Tier before our opera performance, and I was pretty disappointed with the food. The meat was so salty and tough that I just couldn't eat it. The other courses were fine. Next time we'll do the buffet.
The singers were excellent. The sets were not so excellent. We sat in the Mezzanine on the side, where the seats face directly forward, rather than being angled towards the stage. This required twisting my neck over to the left for 2.5 hours, which was exhausting.
The singers were excellent. The sets were not so excellent. We sat in the Mezzanine on the side, where the seats face directly forward, rather than being angled towards the stage. This required twisting my neck over to the left for 2.5 hours, which was exhausting.
Written February 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ali
Dallas, TX4 contributions
Jan 2022 • Family
I have never seen a theater so poorly designed! I bought tickets from a second hand site so they didn’t display that the tickets had an obstructed view which is putting it nicely. When we arrived at our seats at section A of the dress circle it took all of me not to cry. I immediately went to the usher and she suggested I go to the box office. I ran downstairs to the box office and had to buy 2 new tickets, luckily they had a few left. I bought 2 tickets in the orchestra section, almost center. These seats were great! I wish we took a picture of the view from our original seats that we paid $400 for because all you could see was the top of the lighting cages above the stage. You could not see the stage at all and they should not be selling these seats! What an abomination! Beware of you go there, only book center seats!!!
Written January 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Teaxasborn5
Sulphur Springs, TX213 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
Went to a musical play. The theater was nice and comfortable seats. We were there as part of the summer musicals and our seats were just assigned to us- no choice. We were in the first row right behind the lights and sound. Computers were mounted higher on each side of booth and l could not see well these seats should never been sold nor assigned
Written February 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim D
Rogers, AR243 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Opera house was nice but needs lots of improvements. Shen Yun was a little disappointing. Maybe that has influenced my rating. Food and drink choices at Winspear were really sad. Parking however was quick and convenient. The highlight of our afternoon.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sagacioustraveler
Corinth, TX178 contributions
Aug 2013 • Solo
I've attended 3 different performances at The Winspear and while I'll agree this venue is far superior to Fair Park Music Hall in terms of beauty, location, sound, and overall seating, for short people there are serious shortcomings affecting half the seats for any tier that is above orchestra level due to the severe horseshoe design of this theater.
I did have an orchestra seat for one performance (no complaints) however on higher tiers, regardless of price and level, beware of any seats that begin with double letters. The double letter seats themselves are situated at an odd angle so that if you actually sat correctly in your seat, your line of vision will lose a good quarter of the stage. The Winspear has an interactive seating chart with a "view" from the seat I just had for Book of Mormon: Mezzanine AA7. All I can say is that the photographer must have dangled over the balcony to get that good of a shot. I had to sit an an awkward angle -twisting half off my seat and leaning forward - to get a better view of the stage.
This problem also affects single letter rows until about seat 8 on either side. On those seats, it's also hard to see above the partition if you're short and The Winspear is aware these seats have an obstructed view. This is very frustrating, especially when one has spent over $100.00 per ticket for the location. (As a comparison, there isn't this same problem with side seating at the Meyerson).
Although I prefer orchestra or mezzanine seats, I'll probably default to a higher tier if it means getting a seat that is situated closer to the center.
Parking tip: For easy, cheap parking use the lot that's on Ross one block east of the AT&T arts center. You can be in your car and on the road within ten minutes and beats having to spend 30 minutes getting out of the underground parking.
I did have an orchestra seat for one performance (no complaints) however on higher tiers, regardless of price and level, beware of any seats that begin with double letters. The double letter seats themselves are situated at an odd angle so that if you actually sat correctly in your seat, your line of vision will lose a good quarter of the stage. The Winspear has an interactive seating chart with a "view" from the seat I just had for Book of Mormon: Mezzanine AA7. All I can say is that the photographer must have dangled over the balcony to get that good of a shot. I had to sit an an awkward angle -twisting half off my seat and leaning forward - to get a better view of the stage.
This problem also affects single letter rows until about seat 8 on either side. On those seats, it's also hard to see above the partition if you're short and The Winspear is aware these seats have an obstructed view. This is very frustrating, especially when one has spent over $100.00 per ticket for the location. (As a comparison, there isn't this same problem with side seating at the Meyerson).
Although I prefer orchestra or mezzanine seats, I'll probably default to a higher tier if it means getting a seat that is situated closer to the center.
Parking tip: For easy, cheap parking use the lot that's on Ross one block east of the AT&T arts center. You can be in your car and on the road within ten minutes and beats having to spend 30 minutes getting out of the underground parking.
Written August 31, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IamScubaDog
Dallas, TX41 contributions
Apr 2013 • Couples
This last time, I got tickets to the "cheap" seats on the Grand Tier but it is the nose bleed section. You can't really see the faces from this distance but the acoustics are very good in this hall. There is no loss of audio quality this high up and this far away. Windspear house, if you are reading this, charging $10 for convenience fee to buy tickets online, and printing from home is ridiculous.
On the floor seats, I have sat on the right side close to the pit and these seat face forward. After more than three hours trying to watch an opera facing sideways, my back was aching.
On the floor seat, towards the back left and right, the view is obstructed. When I ordered the tickets, there were no warnings of this. If you can't read the super-titles, it makes it hard to understand.
I encourage you to get there an hour early for the opera-talks.
What I really like about Winspear is that they have the courage to put on new productions. Last year, I got to watch Moby Dick which made it's debut here.
On the floor seats, I have sat on the right side close to the pit and these seat face forward. After more than three hours trying to watch an opera facing sideways, my back was aching.
On the floor seat, towards the back left and right, the view is obstructed. When I ordered the tickets, there were no warnings of this. If you can't read the super-titles, it makes it hard to understand.
I encourage you to get there an hour early for the opera-talks.
What I really like about Winspear is that they have the courage to put on new productions. Last year, I got to watch Moby Dick which made it's debut here.
Written April 16, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My boyfriend and I are attending the Ludovico Enunadi concert at the end of the month for our anniversary. We have lower level box seats. Does anyone know what the appropriate attire is? I have a knee length summer dress but I don’t want to be too under dressed or over dressed .
Written June 9, 2022
That’s perfect. You see everything nowadays but we prefer to dress nicely still. Enjoy, it’s a lovely place.
Written June 11, 2022
I’m interested in attending John Leguizamo’s show. Is there a preference/recommendation between box seats or orchestra Row 5-10?
Written April 4, 2019
Unfortunately, we can only afford the Grand Tier level seats! Front row is still available in most spots. Any suggestions so we can avoid the chandelier being in our line of sight/get the best view of the stage we can?
Second question— has anyone not paid for parking? Was it worth it?
Written February 28, 2019
I just went to see Manon Leasaut and the
Grand Chandelier actually retracts into the ceiling
before the performance. I did not notice this before because I sit in the orchestra. Sit anywhere you can afford and have a great time in a great theater.
PAY for PARKING to avoid getting towed.
Written March 13, 2019
what attractions are on in January 21 and january 22 , 2016
Written December 11, 2015
Are there restaurants you can walk to around Winspear?
Written September 23, 2015
lark in the park and savor are both a few blocks away from the winspear adjacent to klyde warren park. it's a nice walk, but allow plenty of time to enjoy your meal and walk to the winspear. there is some nice dining at the winspear, as well.
Written September 24, 2015
How far is the grand tier from the stage. I am guessing over 100 feet?
Written January 9, 2015
First of all, the Grand Tier is supposed to be the best seating in any opera house; however, it is the level above the orchestra. So the Grand Tier is the same distance (but higher up) than the rear orchestra, where I like to sit. Depending on where you are in the Grand Tier I would say maybe 50 to 100 feet and then a level up.
Written May 16, 2019
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