Severance Hall, opened in 1931, is one of the most acoustically and architecturally distinguished concert halls in the United States, and the permanent home of the Cleveland Orchestra. The exterior is restrained Georgian; the interior is a riot of Art Deco — silver-leafed lotus motifs, an aluminium-and-bronze proscenium, sweeping curves of plaster relief.
The Cleveland Orchestra is regularly ranked among the top five orchestras in the world; under Franz Welser-Möst it has been particularly admired for its discipline and tonal blend. Buying any cheap seat for any concert is a sound investment if you are in town between September and May; a free Friday-morning open rehearsal is sometimes available.
Backstage tours are offered on selected weekday mornings. Reservations required.