Symphony boosts audience capacity
With the approval of a new health and safety plan, the San Francisco Symphony can increase audience capacity for its live concerts in Davies Symphony Hall this month through June, the orchestra announced Tuesday, May 4.
Beginning May 13, the Symphony can accommodate up to 35% of the hall’s capacity — or nearly 1,000 people per concert, as compared with the 200 capacity originally planned.
The Symphony will also make limited tickets for the opening programs on ThursdayFriday, May 67, available to donors and subscribers through the orchestra box office. Most of the tickets for those concerts, conducted by Music Director EsaPekka Salonen, are reserved for health professionals, first responders and community leaders.
From May 13 forward, seating in Davies will be in two zones. One, with limited social distancing, will be reserved for patrons with proof of COVID19 vaccination. Seating in the loge and first and second tiers will be socially distanced and require proof of a negative coronavirus test. Masks will be required at all times.
The Symphony also announced new programming details for the May and June concerts beyond the first three weeks that were previously announced. Among the composers represented are Somei Satoh, Jessie Montgomery, Carlos Simon, Florence Price, Bach, Dvorák and Tchaikovsky.
For the June 1718 program, Salonen and the orchestra are expected to be joined by violinist Augustin Hadelich as guest soloist, on a program featuring the U.S. premiere of Daniel Kidane’s “Be Still.”