The Shell, the San Diego Symphony’s new bayside venue. Photo by Jenna Selby/San Diego Symphony
“The San Diego Symphony is in the unique position of being poised to unveil a brand new, state-of-the-art venue,” writes George Varga in Friday’s (4/2) San Diego Union-Tribune. “The Shell will be the first permanent, year-round bayside concert venue in the nation that is operated by a symphony orchestra. The $85 million venue at downtown’s Embarcadero Marina Park South, will offer a stage-side gourmet kitchen [and] two open-air pavilions … After 15 days in March of audience-free rehearsals at The Shell … the panoramic venue has already proven its superior sonic and visual capabilities…. ‘We can hear each other wonderfully,’ said music director Rafael Payare.… The Shell [features a] Meyer Constellation Acoustic System … for the musicians to hear themselves…. Audiences … will hear the music through a different sound system…. When concerts are not taking place, up to 85 percent of the park will be open to the public…. ‘We want it to be a place where you can bring kids for after-school programs, whether it’s yoga or learning to play the violin,’ said San Diego Symphony CEO Martha Gilmer…. ‘We’re talking about interesting ways of introducing new audiences to the venue.’ ”
