Benaroya Hall - Seattle, WA

Seattle's Benaroya Hall is the home of many great concerts where the Seattle Symphony resides.  I've had the privilege of being there several times, including watching Howard Shore conduct the orchestra for 2 hours from the Lord of the Rings score.  The beauty of the orchestra is unreal in person.  Having such an amazing building to house the talented performers is a treat no one should miss.  The following pictures are taken from an older camera of mine.  Some are from Horward Shore's performance but most will be from Matt Messina's 2007 Children's Hospital benefit concert.  I'd like to thank Frank Melchior for providing the images.

This was taken during the Howard Shore LOTR concert.  Alan Lee sketches were displayed on the screen throughout the show.

These seats were considered the cheaper ones.  But it offers an excellent view and the sound is very clear and beautiful from here.  Most shows are held here in the S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium.

The podium where the conductor spends most of his time.  I believe the front row is always empty.  It almost seems as though you can't see much from there.

The Samuel and Althea Stroum Grand Lobby is large and absolutely gorgeous.  The silent auction for the Children's Hospital benefit was held on the 2nd floor by the windows.  The lobby is stunning at night.

The following pictures were taken by Frank Melchior during Matt Messina's 2007 Children's Hospital benefit concert.  Thank you Frank for allowing me to display them on my website!  You can see his other photographs on his site, which is linked on my main page.

Music director Anthony Spain.  He's always enthusiastic and his passion clearly lies in music.

Our friend Matt Messina, a native Seattle man.  I know him through Frank, whose Pike Place Market picture was used for the promotion of Matt's benefit concert in 2006.  We've seen him in LA twice now and have been to his benefit concert two years and counting.

Matt is excellent on the piano.  He is inspiring and his heart is so pure.  His dedication to giving is an inspiration.

Ann Wilson of Heart.  Ann and Nancy participated in the 2007 benefit concert.

Ann & Nancy Wilson of Heart.

My favorite part of the show (and there were so many good parts) was the tango.  It had so much passion, energy and attitude.  The dance was extremely precise.  It was a beauty to watch.

Not only was the dance so powerful, but the expressions on their faces.  So much can be read from their facial and body language.

Lead singer, William DuVall of Alice in Chains, who closed the concert with incredible energy.  There performance topped off the night of amazing acts of both audio and visual splendor.

The love and dedication musicians put into there performance cannot be faked.  It's clear that all the performers tonight loved what they did.

William DuVall and Jerry Cantrell, inspiring the crowd.  I bet this was an eye opener for those not used to there music.