Tanglewood

Tanglewood Review

Tanglewood, the 200-acre summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO), attracts thousands every year to concerts by world-famous performers from mid-June to Labor Day. The 5,000-seat main shed hosts larger concerts; the Seiji Ozawa Hall (named for the former BSO conductor) seats around 1,200 and is used for recitals, chamber music, and more intimate performances by summer program students and soloists. One of the most rewarding ways to experience Tanglewood is to purchase lawn tickets, arrive early with blankets or lawn chairs, and have a picnic. Except for the occasional celebrity concert, lawn tickets remain below $20, and concerts can be clearly heard from just about any spot. Inside the shed, tickets vary in price, with most of the good seats costing between $38 and $100. If you don't demand a seamless performance, consider an open rehearsal, offering much of the same music at a fraction of the price.