Outdoor Symphony Key: Match Your Aims to the Right Seat

Aficionados of serious music love to turn up their noses at large-scale outdoor orchestra concerts, like the ones that the Los Angeles Philharmonic has been doing for years at the Hollywood Bowl.

And now that our own Pacific Symphony has launched its first summer performance series at the 15,000-plus capacity Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre, naturally those same nattering nabobs of negativism will snoot at the thought of the ethereal sounds of Beethoven commingling with after-burners of low-flying jets heading into the nearby El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.

But this stuff is nothing to sniff at. I mean, the program guide includes congratulatory letters from George Deukmejian and Ronald Reagan, who writes: “I can recall evenings Nancy and I spent enjoying the wonderful concerts at the Hollywood Bowl.” (I bet Nancy packs a mean picnic basket, with lots of cheese and fruits and vegetables--like ketchup.)

Having attended Monday’s Fourth of July bonanza with Morton Gould and fireworks, I submit to the symphonic stuffed shirts that the key to enjoying these events is simply in matching the individual’s objective with the right seat.

With four summer concerts still to come--next up is Eduardo Mata conducting the combined forces of the Pacific Symphony and the visiting New World Symphony on Saturday--here’s a guide to getting the most for your entertainment dollar.

The guide is tied to what your top priority for the evening is, with recommendations on where to sit, plus an assessment of the sound quality and scenic view at the various locations:

--Classy Dining: For those who really want to impress, there are a few tables for four set right up front, barely a violin bow’s length from the stage. You will be virtually under the conductor’s heel, so you will find out just what it feels like to be a professional musician. Price tag: $500 per table per concert. (Tables are currently selling at $2,000 for the remaining four concerts. This includes a donation to the orchestra--a really big donation.) Expensive? Sure, but these tables come with white tablecloths, floral centerpieces and wine glasses, not plastic cups. Sound quality: like a ceiling-mounted CD stereo system. Bring a neck pillow. View: Recommended to anyone curious for a penetrating look into a conductor’s sole.

--Music Appreciation: If you are mainly interested in the music, and no one is playing indoors that night, insist on orchestra-section seating, within the first 15 rows or so and as close to center as possible. Beyond that, once the amplification system kicks in, the group starts to sound less like an orchestra and more like an electronic reproduction of an orchestra. Sound quality: like a good home digital system, mounted more appropriately at eye level. Thankfully, sound quality was significantly improved throughout the amphitheater Monday over the orchestra’s first outing at Irvine Meadows last September, when Tchaikovsky’s “1812” Overture sounded like a 1912 Edison recording. View: Serious music listeners close their eyes anyway, so who cares? Tickets: $39.

--Introducing Kids to the Joys of Classical Music: Orchestra or loge sections, left or right wings. The orchestra and loge seating will keep youngsters close enough to the performers to retain interest and help stave off the fidgets, and seating in the wings will keep parents nearest the concession stands, restrooms and exits in case the first theory doesn’t pan out. Tickets: $39 (orchestra) and $19 (loge wings). Sound: Like a good ‘70s stereo tape recording. View: When you’re watching the kids, who has time for scenery?

--Picnicking Under the Stars: Lawn seating. It gets kind of steep on the Irvine Meadows lawn, though, so bring a rock or something to keep the Thermos, wine bottles and kids from rolling off into oblivion. Tickets: $7.50 (figure an extra $3.99 for the de rigueur plastic red-and-white checkered tablecloth). Sound quality: like a clean, limited-dynamic range mono recording from the ‘50s. View: get there early to watch the sunset and the wine bottle races.

--Keeping an Eye on Your Car: The terrace seats place you high enough above the entire stage complex for an eagle’s-eye view of the parking lot. If you drive up in a Toyota or a Ford Escort, it would be wise to put a Stryofoam ball on the antenna so you will instantly be able to pick yours out from the crowd. If you arrived in a limo, see “Classy Dining” section above. Tickets: $10. Sound quality: Varies from unobtrusive at the far corners to thunderous directly in front of the relay speakers. View: From here, you can see both the San Diego and Santa Ana freeways, and the junction of the two. Let’s see the Hollywood Bowl top that.

--Cuddling Under a Blanket: No question--get the lawn seats. But if it is a cool day, count on a cold night and bring several blankets. Or better yet, someone to share them with. Tickets: $7.50. View: Spectacular panorama of the south county landscape. And after all, if you have seen one orchestra, you have seen them all, right? Sound quality: From this level, if you have heard one orchestra, you have heard them all.

--Stargazing Under Warm, Southern California Summer Skies: See Cuddling Under a Blanket above.

--Socializing With Long-Lost Friends: For those who want to spend the evening talking about old times, or new times, or any times: Stake out the parking lot. Or better yet, stay home and turn on the radio if background music is necessary. You won’t waste your money, or that of the people around you who came to hear music.

So now you’re set. No more tough choices to make. Pick your category, grab some tickets, a bottle of wine, a basket of fried chicken and welcome to Hollywood--Orange County style.