Seattle Opera
Seattle Opera
4.5
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Queen Anne
How to get there
- Seattle Center • 3 min walk
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2,130 within 3 miles
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738 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.
4.5
55 reviews
Excellent
33
Very good
18
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Greg D
44 contributions
Jan 2020
Great production. Only four performances left. We traveled to Seattle for the weekend for this production. Tchaikovsy's most beautiful opera. Don't miss it. If you are thinking about a weekend in Seattle this is the performance to see. After the performance go to Lola for late night dinner. Open to midnight on the weekend.
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.
Alec D
Seattle, WA2,603 contributions
May 2019 • Friends
Seattle Opera does Carmen to often but having said that this is the best production of it that they've done since of lived in Seattle. Interesting sets plus great singing and acting. Don't miss this!
Written May 13, 2019
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.
Apodictic
Boise, ID19 contributions
The Seattle Opera is a tribute to enthusiasm and commitment. Its productions are smashing, innovative and professional. But more than that, I have never seen such a dazzling array of dinners, receptions, classes, emails, previews, spoofs, souvenirs and informational material as the Seattle Opera generates to promote its productions and opera in general. I do not live in Seattle but I attended during this year's "Ring" cycle. Well before I got there, Seattle Opera sent me emails of videos called "The Road to Valhalla," showing rehearsals, interviews, operations backstage, special effects, and a conversation with the inimitable Speight Jenkins, the opera's versatile and tireless director. I got information about how to drive, travel or walk to the opera, where to park, how to dine, what to do and where to do it. It was helpful and courteous. I also received a series of videos called "Confessions of a First-time Opera-goer," featuring the young and charming Cassidy Quinn Brettler, who was shown backstage learning how to float through the air in a Rhine Maiden's flying belt, how to navigate the rocks on the bottom of the Rhine by Alberich, how to look like a Walkyrie, and who was even introduced to Star, the mare who played Grane, Brunnhilde's horse. She appeared lovely in her gown on the first night, all atwitter about the production. Then there were all the special events: the in-depth courses on the operas, the gala dinners following performances of "Das Rheingold," radio broadcasts of the "Ring," classes for kids, and even the hilarious country western send-up of the Ring, "Das Barbecu."
With all that, the performance was stunning. I found myself sitting with a fist clenched at the sense of injustice so passionately conveyed by Brunnhilde. I was delighted by the splendid and imposing sets. I laughed with the rest of the 2,900 (otherwise) exceptionally quiet opera-goers as the fetching and funny Rhine Maidens stole the show. There was real fire around Brunnhilde's rock, and there was a real horse, a beautiful animal one could easily associate with Wotan's favorite daughter. But above all, as the drama and the spectacle drew to the overwhelming, inexorable climax at the end, the orchestra took over as Brunnhilde committed her body to the flames, the Rhine Maidens seized the ring and drowned Hagen, and while Valhalla burned, the old order passed away amid waves of gorgeous, achingly passionate music. It was truly memorable.
Nor has the Seattle Opera allowed the moment simply to pass. They have just held tow events to release the "Confessions," sent invitations to review a scene, entertained humorous captions to go with photos from the opera, offered "twitter" opportunities, and, of course, begun promoting this season's Verdi extravaganza. Seattleites have no idea (surely they must!) how incredibly fortunate they are to have such a fine opera in one of the great cities in the United States and one of the most wonderful natural settings on Earth.
With all that, the performance was stunning. I found myself sitting with a fist clenched at the sense of injustice so passionately conveyed by Brunnhilde. I was delighted by the splendid and imposing sets. I laughed with the rest of the 2,900 (otherwise) exceptionally quiet opera-goers as the fetching and funny Rhine Maidens stole the show. There was real fire around Brunnhilde's rock, and there was a real horse, a beautiful animal one could easily associate with Wotan's favorite daughter. But above all, as the drama and the spectacle drew to the overwhelming, inexorable climax at the end, the orchestra took over as Brunnhilde committed her body to the flames, the Rhine Maidens seized the ring and drowned Hagen, and while Valhalla burned, the old order passed away amid waves of gorgeous, achingly passionate music. It was truly memorable.
Nor has the Seattle Opera allowed the moment simply to pass. They have just held tow events to release the "Confessions," sent invitations to review a scene, entertained humorous captions to go with photos from the opera, offered "twitter" opportunities, and, of course, begun promoting this season's Verdi extravaganza. Seattleites have no idea (surely they must!) how incredibly fortunate they are to have such a fine opera in one of the great cities in the United States and one of the most wonderful natural settings on Earth.
Written September 29, 2009
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.
Cristi C
Burnaby, Canada195 contributions
Oct 2013 • Solo
I've been there to see The daughter of the regiment and I was quite impressed by the acoustics, by the way you're feeling good and you can spend a wonderful evening over there.
Written November 13, 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.
Elefthera
San Francisco, CA51 contributions
Jan 2019
McCaw Hall has wonderful acoustics and is a pleasant theater. Il Trovatore was well staged and the cast were energetic. But it's not the Met and it's not San Francisco. Perhaps it's because Seattlites care more for their sports than for anything else. They don't make the investment they should in opera. Not in museums either. Not a city for culture. Only their Wagner is up to par, and their Ring is extraordinary.
Written February 9, 2019
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.
TravelHound66
45 contributions
Jan 2017 • Family
Traviata is one of my all-time favorites. My family was really looking forward to this performance as I have been talking about it for at least five months. We dressed up, and arrived in high anticipation of excellent music and true magic of Verdi's talent. Oh, my, what a perversion Seattle Opera made of this excellent piece - Verdi was turn8ng in his grave, and I had to walk out of the audience before I started screaming out in rage... Weak voices, horrible acoustics, drab, no-kind-in-history costumes... it was a true abomination. If Seattle Opera think that this way they would attract younger generations, they are bitterly mistaken. My kids, whom I care to teach what is a good and what is a subpar opera, already know how much Seattle Opera sucks. I complained to the Seattle Opera sales reps trying to sell me a subscription, and they explained that they cannot afford to bring good voices. GET OUT OF THE UNREASONABLE venue that costs you an arm and a leg, and bring quality back. The drab-dressed downtown-dwelling no ones are not your future audience. They do not see any difference between an Improv or some experimental theater and Opera. My kids are your future, and you are not cutting it for them or any true educated lovers of classical music. Wake up, and start serving those who are your true audience of the future, do not drive them away with your awful experimentations with classics!
Written March 18, 2017
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.
Denise D
13 contributions
We love this hall and it is so beautiful!!! The singers are exceptional, and the usher staffs are wonderful... I really enjoy going out every time.
Written January 30, 2012
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.
Bobxxxx
Brighton, UK53 contributions
Aug 2019 • Friends
Verdi's Rigoletto; not my choice to see but in Seattle at the time. Brilliant production really elevated the opera. But this building is a joy to move around in and has an auditorium with superb acoustics and perfect sightlines (unlike so many British houses like ROH and Glyndebourne). Lovely warm, friendly ushers and bar staff; audience felt friendly too. All good here in Seattle.
Written August 19, 2019
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.
Curiosity
Hillsboro, OR187 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
My husband and I enjoyed Seattle Opera’s Carmen. I found the sets very tasteful, great music and wonderful performance. We loved each characters’ every move as well as every beautifully balanced scenes on the stage. We parked on the C level of the parking structure across the street so we walked straight into the hall via the sky bridge. We’ll definitely try to see other productions of Seattle Opera in the near future.
Written May 20, 2019
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.
PanoramaPoint
Seattle Washington365 contributions
Oct 2016 • Solo
Hearing that the Hansel & Gretel production was outstanding, I took a chance to buy a ticket less than an hour before performance on a Friday night. Pulled into the Opera House Garage, and at the box office asked if a RUSH ticket for seniors (beginning 2 hrs. before performance) was available, saying I'd like a seat close up. Only $40 for a $201 seat, the box office man said. Sitting in Row F I could see the facial expressions beautifully of Hansel, Gretel, the witch. This utterly delightful production, imported from French director Laurent Pelly and his team, is modern, clever and traveled to many cities before Seattle. The Seattle Opera singing cast and children's chorus along with the wonderful orchestral music was first-rate. The timeless Grimm children's tale became Engelbert Humperdick's best known work, an opera for his nieces. So, like me, take a chance at the last minute to enjoy a quality production like this at Seattle Opera!
Written October 29, 2016
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.
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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