enjoyinglife

Hello!

Which is the best section to sit in for a concert? I want to get the best seats I can in the best section.

Your advice is greatly appreciated.

hawksbill

Depending on what kind of performance it is, and how much value you place on being close to the stage versus valuing extra personal space, foot room, access to aisles, and a place to hang your coat, the best seats would either be the first tier boxes near the center (e.g. box 33), or in the orchestra, a few rows back near the center (e.g. Row C, seat 107). I can provide further details if you want.

The very best seats usually go to board members, benefactors, guests of the performers, or other people with connections. If you're not one of those people, and you want the best possible seats, call very very far in advance, and hope for the best. Good luck!

Seating chart: http://www.carnegiehall.org/pdf/ster...ting_chart.pdf

travelbuff

I think it depends on what kind of performance you are seeing. A large orchestra, for example, I think it's better to be in the 1st Tier or middle of the orchestra, for a small group the closer to the stage the better. Having sung at Carnegie Hall, the sound the hall makes is wonderful, so whatever you see you will enjoy.

bspielman

We sit in Center First Tier boxes for two of our three orchestral series at Carnegie Hall, the MET Orchestra and International Series I; and in a Center Second Tier box for The Philadelphia Orchestra. I prefer either the First Tier or the Second to the Parquet; there are locations downstairs where, believe it or not, the sound is not particularly good.

Should you choose either First or Second Tier, try for seats in the first or second row, Seats 1 through 6. Avoid Seats 7 and 8. In the Second Tier, they are tucked between structural walls that extend about a foot or so from the back wall of the box, restricting the sound, in my opinion. This option is not so bad in the First Tier, though it's still preferable to avoid 7 and 8, even in those boxes.

jroth

I agree that for an orchestral concert best seats are first and second tier (but as noted - avoid seats 7 and 8) The reason these seats are best for an orchestra is that you can look down and see the entire orchestra - all sections and individual players. When you sit in the orchestra you just can't see the entire orchestra in action.