Max M Fisher Music Center

fancy-​pants pavilion, pretty decent sound & seating
The hall itself is nice enough. The sound is good. The seating is decent (a little tight on the leg room), and they seem to condone patrons carrying their intermission beverages back into the hall (score! who wants to chug a plastic cup of wine? no thanks…) However enjoyable the experience of the DSO, like the Opera House, there’s just something a little silly and performative about the pomp and pretension that surrounds the High Arts in a city like Detroit. I don’t need to set-​up for you any ironies about the Fisher Center’s wall of half-​mil donors… besides, despite all the suits and evening gowns, they’ve still managed to make the place smell like a Cinnabon in the lobby (i think they’re selling hot candied pecans maybe?). I do like the lobby’s clashy postmodern design and panopticon effect… makes for excellent people watching while sipping on $ 10 iced Jack Daniels… It’s a good time and worth doing it up at least once in a blue moon (if for no other reason than to watch the symphony buffs do their applause and hollering ritual at the end of each piece — that’s hilarious)
occasionally they offer free or super cheap events put on by «younger talent» which really just means you’re getting a more passionate performance for next to no cost… keep your eye out for those… it’s classical music as it should be…

My review is based on an audition that I took here. The facilities are very nice, clean, and there was plenty of space to accommodate the massive influx of auditionees. Very comfortable ambiance. The hall is stunningly gorgeous and it was great to play on stage. I’d imagine that it’s pretty nice from the audience too!