Hoping to attract new music lovers, the Minnesota Orchestra is planning to offer earlier concert start times, lower ticket prices — and beer — at some of its events.
Realizing that younger generations often prefer going out for dinner and drinks after an event instead of before, the orchestra is launching a “Saturdays at Six” series of three shows starting at 6 p.m., earlier than the traditional 8 p.m. Saturday performance times. Those concerts kick off Saturday with “Vanska, Strauss and Mahler” and continue Dec. 19 with “A Scandinavian Christmas” and Rachmaninoff’s First Piano Concerto with soloist Inon Barnatan on May 7.
The orchestra’s new “$20under40” ticket plan also is intended to appeal to a younger, budget-conscious crowd. “As we continue our work to attract a new generation of concertgoers, we want to remove price as a potential deterrent to attending orchestra performances,” Minnesota Orchestra President Kevin Smith said.
Anyone 40 or under can attend up to two concerts for $20 each, even the “Saturdays at Six” performances. Regular ticket prices generally range from $30 to $80.
And beer isn’t just for rock concerts anymore. “Symphony & Suds” takes classical music to the bar. Minnesota Orchestra musicians will head to Boom Island Brewing Company, Surly Brewing Co., Insight Brewing Company and other local breweries for six evening performances. Breweries also will serve their beers at Orchestra Hall for select concerts, offering free samples at various shows.
For more information, visit minnesotaorchestra.org.
