Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

I've started going to the opera since last season and I have been enjoying every single one of them. The Four Seasons is always clean and well maintained, the personal always kind, quick to help and smiling. My only wish it would be for it one day to become a perfume free zone !

Designed specifically for opera and ballet, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto regularly draws large crowds for its world-class performances. Located right downtown at the corner of University Avenue and Queen Street West, across from Osgoode Hall, it’s a beautiful theatre that really stands out. Built specifically for opera and ballet, the theatre seats just over 2,000 people and is known for its incredible acoustics. They weren’t exaggerating when they called it “the finest level of acoustics”—you can hear every note perfectly, no matter where you’re sitting. The building was opened in 2006 on land gifted by the Government of Ontario, and it’s now home to two of Canada’s top companies: the National Ballet of Canada and the Canadian Opera Company. I recently went there to see “Adieu: A Celebration of Guillaume Côté”, which marked Guillaume Côté’s farewell performance with the National Ballet. He’s been with the company for 26 years—as a Principal Dancer and choreographic associate—and this show was a heartfelt tribute to his amazing career. It was emotional, beautifully performed, and the atmosphere in the theatre was full of admiration and love for Côté. The building design by Diamond Schmitt Architects is smart and stylish. It’s built to handle several productions at once, with a flexible orchestra pit that allows for all kinds of musical performances. Overall, it was a fantastic evening. Whether you’re a long-time fan of ballet or just want to experience something special, the Four Seasons Centre offers a top-notch experience in a stunning setting.

A beautiful & fascinating place to live in an operatic atmosphere. Staffs are very friendly & welcoming no matter you come for a paid opera performance or a free concert at noon.

Very modern architecture and beautiful design became a new home for ballet & opera. It was completed in 2006, and the interior design includes an unusual glass staircase. Over 2000 seats in theatre(not too comfortable) The five-tiered, horseshoe-shaped auditorium was modelled after European opera houses. The acoustics were designed by Bob Essert of Sound Space Design. Wish to have better and bigger food bars and same ideas with women’s washrooms… very long waiting lines 😑

Came for Anna Karenina — a true feast for the eyes. Incredible views from the first floor. Tip: stay for the full curtain call — totally worth it.

The Four Seasons Centre has some great features. It has the world's longest glass staircase. It also has a horseshoe-shaped auditorium, designed in European style. It has some amazing modern engineering and acoustical design.

One of the fanciest places I’ve ever been in, not that I’ve been to many. Just to give a sense of how fancy, I got on the up elevator instead of the down and this girl walked in from one of the top floors wearing a fur coat. Who wears a real fur coat anymore!?! Fancy people, that’s who! And I’ve been around animals enough to know real fur when I see it. If you’re reading this you can’t afford this hotel because if you could, you wouldn’t need to check out reviews from paupers like me - you would just go and hope not to see people like me there. I guess it works for the brand by keeping it exclusive and luxurious. Can’t think of anything bad except for the price. So don’t waste your money here to impress anyone because no one there is going to be impressed. And your date, if she’s financially savvy, will think you’re foolish with your money.

Beautiful place to watch the ballet, event starts on time and the facilities are clean. They have a concession there during performances. Water is free and most things are around $4-6. They also have a really nice gift shop. I love watching the Nutcracker here but hopefully I will get to watch other ballet performances throughout the year too!

I took my younger daughter to see the Nutcracker, and it was just as riveting as the time two years prior. The sets, costumes, live orchestra and dancers make the theatre come alive! I estimate that there were about 50 dancers and 50 members in the live orchestra! I loved every second, and the ballet is great for adults and children alike. They have a nice store where I got some ballet jewelry boxes that make music. All in all, another enchanting experience was had!

Amazing nutcracker ballet! The attention to detail, the costumes, and the food and drinks at intermission...all great. The live band was superb. I didn't even realize it was live until further on into the show. This will now be a yearly event that I attend. Definitely recommend.

Saw amazing Shen Yun @ Four Seasons as a matinee. Mlodern shoecase for the wealth of talent and shows in Toronto, Four Seasons is an fantastic venue. Parking was $25 as was an event, however you have direct access to the buikding Just be careful driving up the narrow garage on way out as you need to queue up. Overall, amazing show and look forward to returning for other shows in the future. -Zuk

This was always a beautiful building that I've seen from the outside and recently I finally had a reason to go in! An opera that I was hoping would make its way to Toronto is finally here this fall! Carmen is running from October to early November 2022. The street facing walls are made of glass which lets in an incredible amount of natural light. There is one wide staircase that leads from the main floor to upper floors. Narrower glass frosted glass stair cases can take you up the rest of the way to the balcony seating. It reminded me a lot of the main floor of the AGO. I came for an afternoon showing. The courtyard was already bustling with patrons. There were users that were holding the doors open into the Four Seasons. I saw that there was actually a line for people to purchase walk up tickets. I'd suggest getting them online so there's no sweat. If you're keen on going to several shows, you can purchase a membership for the COC and they had a booth set up to help out those interested. The largest concession stand is on the main floor (more lines to help you out) and smaller ones on the upper floors. They had coffee furnished by Balzacs and tea. There was also a choice of alcoholic drinks including beer, wine, and champagne. They even have food here - candy (I saw Mentos), cookies, and sandwiches. You're also able to order in advance for intermission to skip having to line up at that time. Orders are picked up at the back of the bar. There were some bar tables to enjoy refreshments at but there wasn't a ton of space. Also, food isn't allowed inside the auditorium. We were seated at the very last row of the orchestra level. The view is not bad since there is graduated seating. If you're at the seats that are closer to the stage, they are angled towards it so you don't have to worry about craning your neck! I'm happy to report that they had subtitles for Carmen since it was in French. The runtime of this specific show was quoted to be 3 hours but it ran a little bit over for us.

I have been coming regularly to the center sans pandemic lockdown, and I have come to love this venue. No matter where one seats the view is very good. I have come for the National Ballet of Canada, not the Opera. That would be my next visit. This time after 21 months of lockdown it was a joyful come back to see a live performance. The program was Serenade, Soul & Angel's Atlas with Soul.

Before I get into the meat of my review, I should mention that I did attend a performance of The Nutcracker here a few years ago and really enjoyed the experience. However, I had purchased seats within the Grand Ring section and the view was superb. We were offered the chance to see Carmen for free by a friend who couldn't use her tickets, and even though the seats were in the Ring 5 section, I'm not going to say no to a free opera experience. I should've said no. Our seats were in row E within Ring 5 and to say that they were awful is a humongous understatement. Aside from the cramped, uncomfortable chairs, the stage is so far away that you can't make out any details in the sets or performers. Were we watching human people or animatronic robots? I have no idea! And because I couldn't make out the expressions on the actors' faces, I was completely unable to connect with the storyline or the plight of the characters. I couldn't possibly have been more bored. By the time the intermission mercifully rolled around 90 minutes later, we both decided to get the hell out of there. (Also, if you have any problem with heights, Ring 5 is definitely not for you. And I also want to note that because I spent an hour and a half looking straight down, my neck has been killing me for the last two days.) Honestly, I don't know where the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts gets the cojones to actually charge money to sit in the Ring 5 section. It's awful, awful, awful.

I have taken my daughter to see the Nutcracker ballet I think 13 times so far. It is always an exceptional treat. I prefer the matinee because then it is easy to go for the Nutcracker High Tea after at the nearby Shangri-La Hotel. The very first year that we went we sat in the orchestra along with my sister and niece. Of course very young children need to go to the washroom often and my daughter, niece and I were not allowed to return for the ending which was disappointing. I learned from that experience to splurge for box seats because then you are able to come and go freely. My daughter is now older and we still enjoy the treat of the boxes in the grand ring. Boxes C and W hold only two seats and you get to move your chair to whatever angle you need and you can see right down into the orchestra. The larger boxes further from the stage, but closer to the washrooms, have a vestibule with coat hooks. Buy tickets in mid-late September to get the best pick of seats.

Wonderful experience at one of their noon-time performances in the Free Concert Series. Check the schedule on their website (https://www.coc.ca/plan-your-visit/free-concert-series) for which days the performances land on, and what type of performance it will be, then bring some friends along. I would plan to arrive around 15 to 30 min before the show starts (the doors open at 11:30A), as it was standing room only by the time my group arrived at 11:55A and the ushers were about to bar people from entering due to reaching maximum capacity. Proceed to the 3rd and 4th floors, where the giant staircases serve as theatre-style seating for music-lovers of all ages. The glass-walled bridge is also free to sit on, and if you're not too picky about your view, you can go behind the slatted wooden "veil" to sit on the floor as well. I ended up sitting here, and it's not comfortable after about 20 minutes, but better than standing for the whole hour. We saw a one hour vocal performance by two different singers with piano accompaniment, great talent in a more casual setting than committing to a full opera or concert. The ushers were super vigilant, making sure that people were finding places to see while also keeping walkways clear, and ensuring that the NO PHOTOS policy was followed. Witnessed one couple having to take out their phones and delete the photos in front of an usher. The facility itself is marvelous and would love to return for an evening performance! Parking is take what you can get in terms of downtown parking - there is $5/30 min parking in the garage below the theatre and some meters on the street, but public transportation is definitely the cheaper option to go if you're just popping into the area for this event.

Recently was here to catch the Nutcracker ballet performance, a lovely experience if you grew up hearing the story and watching movies. Very nostalgic for me. Impressed with the set design and costumes. So pretty! Great for families as long as your children can abide by the no talking once curtain comes up, otherwise you risk getting death glares from fellow patrons. lol

Came here to see my first ballet, The Nutcracker. Very lux, there are elevator operators and suits and wine for purchase. The quality of the performance was amazing. Live orchestra with great acoustics, beautiful cohesive colour palettes, smooth transitional choreography and the transitions between acts. My favourite scene was the one with falling snowflakes, it was very pretty. There's also a very nice selection of gifts from the shop.

I've never been bored of this place. Great opera truly lives here in COC. Location is strategic. Good for Subways, streetcar or even walking distances. Everytime I come here, there's something mesmerizing about the staircase and the interior that makes me stop & appreciates the architecture and interior of this building. Sound system is also top notch. Definitely am experience coming here to watch any performance.

I love ballet and I'm not scared to admit it. Their operas are also excellent. If you want to save some dough, arrive there the morning you want to see a show ( so around 9:30-10) to buy 'rush tickets'. These are usually half off. If you're will to watch a show standing up, you can snag up standing 'seats' for $12 (which is what I always do). Caution, each show is usually 2.5 - 3 hours including intermissions. Standing is better for your health than sitting so do your body and your wallet a favour and stand ;)

We went there to watch Shen Yun. It is a great theater overall. Big seating capacity and the acoustics are very well designed to give an amazing experience. However, the height adjustment between the two rows could have been a little more. This is a good place for dance shows and music concerts etc but not for plays. Small theaters are the best for that. The tickets are quite expensive - especially in case of Shen Yun, we found it overpriced, but then that's the case with most of the theaters where the price is based on the quality of the venue rather than the quality of the show. They have a coat check and washrooms one floor below. Not too sure about the parking since we just took an Uber. However, plenty of taxis and Ubers available around this area.

I mostly come here to see ballet. This is a beautiful opera house and a vast improvement from the O'Keefe/Hummingbird/Sony Centre where they used to perform. Great sight lines and acoustics all around. I have sat everywhere from the orchestra on ground level to the 5th ring way up at the top! Really no bad seat in the house. The space is open, clean and modern. I love the design of the building that allows you to see University Ave. and the city lights during intermissions. The fact that there are many levels with multiple bars and washrooms means that you usually don't have to wait in line (TIP: go to the 2nd or 3rd floor bar as the one on the main level is always busiest, and washrooms on the 3rd floor are less crowded than the ones in the basement). The large space on the 3rd level hosts free lunchtime concerts on weekdays ranging from opera, dance, chamber music, world music. Show up early as they are popular and often standing room only. In you come during the ballet, there's the main gift shop on ground level selling books, DVD's, CD's, etc. On the 3rd floor, you can find posters and autographed pointe shoes. This is also where dancers come during intermission to autograph programs and such. On the nights when the National Ballet School kids attend, there's always a line up and they are so cute! I usually just wander by the autography table to get a closer look at the intricate costumes the dancers are wearing. Tickets for performances don't come cheap, but you can line up for same day rush tickets around 11am. There are also heavily discounted tickets available in advance if you are under 30 (National Ballet's program is called "Dance Break" and the Canadian Opera Company's is called "Opera for a New Age"). Other things to note: - The bar has a pretty minimal selection but they do usually have some sort of sandwich, which is nice if you have to run straight to a performance from work and don't have time to eat (hey, it's more substantial than the ice cream and candies offered at most theatres) - There is no dress code. It's fun to dress up but don't let that stop you from attending a performance here. Unless it's a gala or opening night, you will see everything from jeans to tuxedos/formal gowns. Just wear what's comfortable and more importantly, support the arts :)

TIP #1: Don't be LATE... I heard the 2 minute warning DING DONG when I attended the entrance, so we ran over to Door D on the ground floor. The attendant said we still had time but not enough time for a trip to the washroom. He gave me 2 options: Option 1: Go to washroom and miss first 15 minutes of the show. Option 2: Wait 1 hr 30 min until intermission. I sat in my seat very patiently and unmoved and it was worth it. I was in the Orchestra Section Row D Seats 25/26 which is face-to-face to the Ladies in Bikinis and Men with Six Packs. BTW, this was Miss Saigon not a Strip Club. Plenty of legroom at this row for some reason. Basically 4 rows behind the Orchestra directly centered we heard everything loud but NOT clear as either the voice/songs were either sung too quickly or the audio reverb too much. At some points, I just gave up trying to listen to every word and just try to get the GIST of the Scene & Musical. The Engineer, Chris, John sounded clear. Kim was sometimes harder to pinpoint exact words. When it was group or couples synchronized ballads, it was like your mind had 10 people talking at once. I just focused on one person and IGNORED the rest. Our seating position meant that we couldn't see the Orchestra hidden underneath and secondly couldn't see the play unless it was inbetween the HEADS of the 3 rows before us. TIP #2: If there are empty seats, try asking a staff if you can trade for another spot nearby if you have TOWERING big men/women in front of you blocking your view. The Centre itself is Ikea-ish but I hope it is because it is eco-friendly building however it is aesthetically pleasing with the soft lighting and spot lighting placed at the right places that bounce off either the WHITE walls or the transparent glass barriers. The helicopter scene really gave a good test to the BASS of the sound system and it was very good almost like IMAX3D good. This coming from a guy that hasn't watched theatre in years. The ENGINEER rocks! When it came to intermission, washroom line-up was typical of your Movie Theatre scale however I think that the men's washroom didn't have the right FLOW to it. After your washroom, you wash your hands but then have to go backwards for the paper napkins and then walk past the sinks again before out the door. Movie Theatres have the RIGHT idea where you do Washroom, Sinks, Paper, Door sequence which helps. Maybe the feng shui guy gave them some other advice. I took a photo of the Coat Check & Miscellaneous pricing for you convenience but during intermission no attendant was there so I couldn't get my OBUS FORME. :(

wuzz up in hurr last nite - marked in the ladies bathroom +_0 (blame it on the free unlimited wine) AMAZING. Friendly Tips: -Dress like you're going to the royal wedding - channelling Blair Waldorf. -DO NOT be late. -Don't bother pre drinking and/or eating -(females) prepare for suites trying to pick you up WHILE he grabs a drink for his wife - True story. -(males) girls here come to dress up. Think tight dresses, 6 inch stilettos, wine glasses (i,e loosy goosey). Fair warning , 90% of them are pretentious bitches. - If you aren't holding anything Prada priced be prepared to be stared at, at times pointed at, gawked at or even asked if you are lost. Act crazy , it freaks them the f&*k out. They'll leave you alone. -BRING A CAMERA -talk to strangers ( I do this already, but I urge everyone to do this. I met the loveliest girls. Albeit, one was drunk and wanted to take me home. Nonetheless, still lovely. You could never go wrong with making some new facebook friends, right? ) 0_0 The place is absolutely gorgeous. If you do come late, you will not get your original seat. You will be led to where seating is available , closest to the door. This sucks, irregularly shaped-huge-hairy-donkey gonads. The show last night was Alice in Wonderland - fantastic. I cannot express enough how beautiful it was. Plus, Ti's my 2n'd favourite. A few times "Alice" was a tad late on her notes. I doubt anyone noticed. Other than yours truly. Why? Because I'm a self proclaimed and proud control freak. There's 5 floors. Each one with a bathroom on EVERY corner (bonus points). The walls are complete glass. They Windex the crapola out of it.. so much so that you think you're going to fall out onto the street. This place is top notch. With a table (see pic) They provided mini sandwiches, tiny mouse sized cupcakes, raspberry scones, curler sesame salty sticks, red & white wine AND vodka drinks (oh , disaster) I would absolutely love to come here again. If you love the arts, I really recommend coming out for at least one of the shows. The whole place gets decorated correlating the theme of the show. With all the free stuff, fun photo ops and happy mingling you will have a blast! THEN - Just when you are about to go home and try to recollect as much as humanly possible for your yelp post, the door people hand you a goody bag WAAAAAAAAHH??? FOR MEEE??? YOU REALLY SHOULD NT HAVE!! can I have one more? :p (if you ask nicely, they'll give you 2) Cool Cool beans. Left here at 4am. Wide eyed & eyeliner in perf condition. I call this a success. xoxox M.

The Canadian Opera Company (http://www.yelp.ca/biz/canadian-opera-company-toronto) has long since been asking, really caterwauling, for their own venue for ages, having not wanted to deal with the try-to-be-all-to-all-things Sony Centre for the Performing Arts (http://www.yelp.ca/biz/sony-centre-for-the-performing-arts-toronto). They have their wish and they were obviously careful of what they wished for, because this venue is fantastic. Centrally located downtown right on the subway line, this is a fantastic venue to see opera. A bright open foyer with modern fixtures and accents, the hall though somewhat futuristic still has warmth about it through its soft lighting and opaque glass that lines the staircases. The hall itself is acoustically fantastic, providing a great sound to this untrained ear, anyway. For operatic productions the stage is lofty and slightly thrust providing the ability for set designers to take advantages of some great space. There are no obstructed seats either, every chair in the house with an amazing view, even the ones at the very back (see venue photos). The staff as well are courteous and friendly, ushering gently and providing beverages and refreshments with ease and speed. Do note that if you are late for an operatic presentation, you will not be seated until the intermission. Thankfully, there's an area with a large television screen that allows you to watch the performance remotely. So, take my advice: Check your ticket stubs.

I've been meaning to check out this centre since it opened but never had the chance to. I finally came here for one of their Free Concert Series In the Robert Bradshaw Amphitheatre. Most of the shows are from 12 to 1pm with some starting at 5:30pm. I arrived at 11:15am and there was already a short line up since doors open at 11:30am. I came for the Vocal Series: 110 Years of Singing on Record lectured by Stephen R. Clarke. It was pretty neat hearing old records being played on a horn machine from 1904 and comparing the same songs recorded in different time periods. The amphitheatre bright as it is surrounded by windows facing University & Queen with classy wooden bleacher-like seating. It's casual and unpretentious. Educational and interesting - this is a fantastic way to experience a bit of the COC. *100th review!* Yeah, yeah!

Surprized my YEA with an experience of The Nutcracker ballet. It was a beautiful and magical experience. The service by the staff is very professional and the building is just crisp looking from top to bottom. Note to future patrons: Sunday afternoon is usually more packed with kids so if you want to avoid having kid ask "Why is that man doing jumping jacks?" during the performance, an evening time may be more preferable.

What a grade centre! Came here the other night to watch an opera. I took advantage of the under 30 tickets so got the 'nosebleed' seats; in spite of this fact, I had a great view of the stage and the Italian to English translations. Conveniently located, you're surrounded by a number of restaurants so you can really go all out with a night out. Also, you're within steps of the subway so no need to worry about parking around here. The decor of the FSCFTPA is beautiful - as it's brand new, you see a melange of both modern and classic designs for an opera house. Can't wait to return. Good for: entertainment, opera

I have just discovered this venue for ballet and am impressed every single time. I went to see the North American premiere of Alice in the Wonderland, but this review is based on FYI's rather than reviews of the shows. If you want to make an event of seeing a ballet (or show) at the Four Seasons, you can always go to Nota Bene (5 minute walk) for pre-dinner that starts at 5pm (just in time for the 7:30 show). For $55, you get a set meal with a glass of champagne! When making reservations at the restaurant, inform them that you have a show at the Four Seasons. Or, if you don't feel like dinner, not a problem, there other things you can do before hand: 1. If you have time, there is a "talk series" an hour earlier before the show that you can sit down and listen too 2. You can purchase drinks and food - CASH ONLY! I made the mistake one time of ordering everything and anything, and busted out my credit card...only to be informed Cash Only...wamp 3. During the intermission (usually 25 minutes), you can come out and have drinks and snacks. I suggest you to pre-order these items BEFORE the show so that when its intermission, you don't have to stand in long lines to order drinks. Before the show, they give you a ticket with your ordered items and the bar staff will tell you where to pick up the drinks. Now, I have only ordered and picked up on the main level, but other floors should have this service 4. Bathrooms are downstairs 5. When it is time to go in, a bell will ring - just beware that when you have middle seats (like moi), you might suffer the wrath of evil stares as you try and get past them to your seats. Some people will get up but some will stay seated and stare at you and say you should have arrived earlier (I think for those people I stepped on their white bags...oops) 6. Osgoode Subway Station right at the entrance of the venue so if you don't feel like finding parking, try the rocket 7. Dress Code is actually whatever you feel like. The ballet for me means being dressed up, but I have seen guests wearing jeans, shorts, tight pants *shudder*... Enjoy!

Best performing arts venue I've ever been to. It's accessible and inviting. The abundance of wood camel colored walls in the lobby and main hall are soothing to the eyes. The acoustics were fantastic. The lines for snacks and beverages were short--a contrast to the mob scenes at Lincoln Center in New York. I saw the final performance of the Canadian Opera Company's Carmen today and based on my experience would not only rank the company as world class, but the venue as well. If you come to Toronto, check out what's happening at the Four Seasons Centre.

Went here today to watch a performance of The Nutcracker. The customer service at all points was great! We parked in their parking lot (not going to mention the ridiculous price...but anyways due to the snowstorm I parked there), but they had an attendant at the elevators guiding people. All staff were very friendly. The venue itself was amazing. We sat in Ring 5 (the very back) and I was worried we wouldn't be able to see/hear the performance, however they way it is built allows for all rings (tiers) to have a great view. First class venue!

The place is really nice. And great for a ballet. But sadly I didn't find it appropriate to watch Miss Saigon. I got tickets via Dancap with a promotion for Ring 4 and 5. Now I know why. Up at Ring 4, although in the first row, the place is SO big (and high) that although the sound travels up there, it was difficult to understand, especially when the group sings together. The performers were really strong, you can tell, but still sounded like a little sound from little people. Visually sitting up there was fine. For a ballet it would be perfect. It felt like watching an intimate concert at the ACC. We also noticed that the venue wasn't filled at all. Maybe about 70% filled and this was the 2nd day, I'm not sure why. TIP: before the show starts you can pre order your snacks and drinks and pick them up on a side table at intermission. beats a line up. you can also check out the other floors which may have less line up than yours I was talking to one of the ushers who also noted that something was off about the sound in the centre. she said that because the acoustics were SO good that the sound reverberates off the edges making it difficult to understand. she said the place wasn't designed for this type of performance (but how is this different from opera?) We did move to the empty seats in the orchestra level and it made a huge difference. I could understand almost every word. But it still felt like their voices project, but doesn't go anywhere (only up, via mic) Typically I would say that it doesn't matter what price point you buy your ticket, but in this venue is does matter. If you're as picky as me, I would pay the extra bucks for orchestra or ring 2 or 3. ABOUT THE SHOW itself. It was AMAZING. The main star, Kim, has the most beautiful voice. And despite all the weird acoustics in the room, I could always hear her perfectly. I think that's a testament to talent. The emotion from all the cast seemed so genuine. The show's music is literally it's script so missing a word, you miss the understanding and emotion - another reason why it's important to get a good seat.

We saw Dvořák's Rusalka here a few weeks ago and were really impressed with the acoustics. The venue has a really warm and welcoming atmosphere and the lobby really accentuates this.

I love everything about this place! I have visited this place so many times to watch the performances of the National Ballet and I have had a wonderful time every single time. The venue is a good size and most of the seats provide a decent view of the stage - although I find as you get closer to the ring 5 and around the fronts of the balcony - the height can get daunting for those, who get nervous about heights or if you have little ones - I would say spring for the pricier seats in the lower rings, as the railings aren't as high. If you are late - they have screens broadcasting the action on stage - so you don't have to worry about missing anything. I do try and get there early to take it in. The large bar on the ground floor is great, but if you find the line up too much - you can go the higher floors to grab a drink or you can pre order for the intermissions. Overall - one of my favourite places to catch a show. Bonus points that Osgoode station is directly connected to the theatre - so I don't have to brave the cold if I do not want to.

I'm preaching to the choir, apparently...but here goes. "A" number 1. Top shelf. 10 out of 10. Gold medal. Blue ribbon. First class. I regularly go to operas here and have never had a bad seat. The acoustics are amazing. It's a huge place, yet intimate. The box seats are my favourite, if only because they're roomier than sitting in orchestra. Plus some have a cloak room of their own. Poor Richard Bradshaw. He worked his ass off to get this place built, only to die after its first season. But at least he got to see and hear his masterpiece in action. The theatre's community efforts are to be applauded. Free concerts are a wonderful grass-roots connection. The pre-performance lectures are great, and with the audience sitting on the stairs a la coliseum, everyone is put on the same social stratum, regardless of age/income/experience. I am proud to live in a city with such a first-rate venue.

I've seen a few shows here - ballet, opera and a musical. It's conveniently located and very easy to find. Although the exterior of the building is not very interesting in shape or design, the glass is beautiful and allows you to see the interior clearly. On the inside, the design of the staircases is quite unique. The wood, the glass, the light shining in. It's quite an impressive space. The service is fantastic. From the doormen, the coat check staff, the concessions staff, the ushers and even the staff at the gift store. Washrooms are clean, but get very busy during intermission. I have been lucky enough to only get seats in the orchestra. While it appears the ring sections provide a great view of the stage, I can't say I've ever sat in those seats. And ring 5 seems waaaaay up there. I've been up to the top level hoping to get a good view of the city. But it's truly not that high and there isn't much to see in that location. I did appreciate that they have set up concession stands on each level. Tips: -If you know anyone under the age of 30 there are special promotions (use code: IAMUNDER30). It's even better if you can get the 'under 30' tickets when they let you choose any seat in the house (i.e. orchestra seats!) -They offer rush tickets to most of their shows. -If you're around during the day, they occasionally have free shows in the lobby/staircase area. A great lunchtime activity if you enjoy the arts.

This place is pure class. And I love it. I feel fancy when I go here! I make it a point to dress well and get all dolled up. It makes me feel like I'm in some movie were everything is oh so grand and civilized. You know what I mean? Like in My Fair Lady when she becomes a lady. That is kinda but not really what I mean. Close enough. The sound is superb. The ballets are breathtaking. The theater is theatrically a treat. If you can afford a trip (they have day of sales as well as student sales) it is for sure worth it. Helpful hint! Want to avoid those super long lines to back drinks at the intermission? Pre-order before the show starts! No line-ups and your drinks will be waiting for you the second the curtain closes!

This fairly nice, modern venue is the home of the Canadian Opera Company as well as hosts many performances of the ballet. The sight lines vary from absolutely excellent on the floor and the mezzanine, to pretty atrocious up in the 5th ring. This is, by the way, where they like to seat people who are here for Opera under 30...in the very top rows of the 5th ring. From here, you can't see anything that's taking place further back in the auditorium. The acoustics are quite good throughout the entire theater. They have the standard (and quite expensive) refreshment stands. Restrooms are a bit crowded, but I think women fare better here than the symphony. The CoC itself is actually quite good. Much stronger than the TSO. I've quite enjoyed almost every performance. They do command a much more expensive ticket, though, so keep that in mind.

This venue is all class. We came to see the musical "Next To Normal". We snagged a special deal on tickets and only paid $25 for seats in Ring 3, front row, which provided a perfect view of the seats and no heads in front of us blocking the view. The seating is very comfortable and there's plenty of leg room, unlike its older counterparts like Princess of Wales and Canon Theatre. We like the direct entrance from the subway which came in really handy as it was down pouring as we arrived at the theatre. Only blemish of the night, the box office girl screeched at me for being in the wrong line to pick up tickets. Wasn't a big deal for move to the other line but she was pretty much foaming at the mouth and pointing like a mad woman. Thank god there was a piece of plexi glass separating us. IMO, the front of house and box office staff is the first point of contact for most customers so there really isn't any excuse for rudeness. I would definitely like to see another performance here in the future, but will try to get my tickets sent to me ahead of time so I can avoid the box office.

This facility is amazing. Easily one of the nicest performing arts centres I have been in. Beautiful exterior stonework combined with a huge glass atrium make the Four Seasons Centre a breathtaking addition to Toronto architecture. Inside soaring staircases and the curved walls of the performance chamber makes being at the venue almost as enjoyable as watching your performance. The stage and seating area allow for clear, crisp sound and nearly every seat is unobstructed. I subscribe to all Canadian Opera Company performances (3rd season).

A gorgeous venue that's well-designed, well-staffed, and just, well, phenomenal. Went here to see the Canadian Opera Company's performance of Tosca this past year and had a great experience in every way possible. Buying single tickets was a bit of a pain online, with all of the dates showing up as sold out, so I went to the Four Seasons Centre in person to see if I could find anything at the Box Office. The staff were so friendly and helpful -- the woman who was helping me offered me as many seats as I wanted to look at before making a final decision. The night of the opera we arrived early, were seated in our great balcony seats, and enjoyed a fantastic show. Obviously the food and drinks here are pricey (what we have come to expect at these sort of things) but they have an effective system of getting through lines, and you can have your little Haagan Daaz ice cream in no time. The sound is phenomenal, and the new opera "subtitles" are a great help if you can't quite make out what they're saying and don't want to spend the whole performance with your nose in the program. Overall, a great experience in this venue spent watching a classic opera. Now I can't wait to see a ballet there!

The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts is perhaps one of Toronto's few respectable buildings that also caters to a respectable purpose; WOMEN DANCING IN LEOTARDS! The most conspicuous venue in Toronto for the arts, as long as we are all agreed that the ROM is not exactly within the realm of art, but closer to the idea of preservation. Also, the ROM is conspicuous in all the wrong ways. Where performing arts mix relatively well with capitalism, as it is clearly hinted with the unmistakably contemporary minimalistic design, and less subtly flaunted with whatever sponsoring brand of automotive company displaying their flagship vehicle at the South West corner. Usually a Jaguar. The entire West side of the building from floor to ceiling is separated from the streets only by panes of windows, thus proudly showing off the interior-which I must admit is rather an ingenious marketing ploy-and offers a stunning unique perspective onto University Avenue. The main level gives home to the gift shop, the bar, information, and the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, a little space with stair step like seating offering free performances weekly. NOTE: This amphitheatre is at all times filled from top to bottom with women. The only time & place where women can be seen congregation in such large groups are either at a hack author's book signing, or a wine tasting. The main hall (R Freaser Elliott Hall) boasts absolutely one of the most lacking seating arrangements I have EVER seen. From the stage, the seating area resembles a huge pile of shelves found in a super complicated refrigerator. The doesn't seem to be a VIP area. There are a few boxes, but they offer the chairs identical found in a public school! There are not enough elevators to serve a full house, and the seating are too damn small! This has nothing to do with the productions, as they are of course after-all, the main attraction. My initial visit was to watch Alice in Wonderland the ballet. My dear friend Terevia had something come up, so she offered her pair of tickets to me, and I ended up taking Jocelyn. The show was so damn spectacular, I actually didn't end up cursing under my lip over the utterly shabby seating which felt like watching an army of ants from the moon. I don't know whether the orchestra is in-house or from elsewhere, but they were just great! The quality of sound was just good enough, although I would imagine it being quite amazing from a more expensive ticket. This place is home to the COC, and so where almost all operas in Toronto is offered. The ballets are productions in conjuncture with the National Ballet School or Canada. Not all dancers belong to the company, but they all have some kind of contract when performing out of here. After the show or on special occasions, you can head to the Henry N. R. Jackman Lounge-or the bar for short-and have yourself a conspicuous drink; overlooking the old Osgoode Hall, and the homeless people who dwell around the fencing. Architecturally, it is esthetically pleasing. It does not scream pretentiousness, which is more than can be said for most of Toronto contemporary designs. Hell, I can even say it's nice! I like the building. Perhaps it suffers from being too humble where humility should not be found (the stage & seating). The location amazing, as long as we're not factoring in car parks. The staffs here are all relatively professional and reasonably trained to accommodate patrons and their expensive purses. There is not yet much history associated with this building, but the main area could really use a touch of bourgeois! This place is very much from the outside, and parts inside; sexy. To the higher calling of muscular thighs, and overly pushed up b..b...baritones!

a beautiful venue We visit four times a a year for the ballet and have never been disappointed

This is perhaps the only venue in the city where I haven't yet been in the stage door. I've been twice as a patron for one opera (with nosebleed seats) and one ballet (on the orchestra level). The sound and sight lines are all fantastic. It's built in the tradition of all European opera houses so nearly every seat has a reasonable view and there are no pesky support poles smack dab in the middle of your view (like at Massey Hall). I did have to crane my neck a bit when I was up in the nosebleeds but only because it's so odd to see a stage production from a top profile view rather than the proper front/centre perspective. The architecture is a glass modern fish bowl on the outside and inside it features earth tones, comfortable seats and great sound. I look forward to my first engagement in the orchestra pit of this place!

Went on a double date to see the Nutcracker for the first time on Dec 23rd, 2017. Everything from the performance to the music was so beautiful! I would definitely come back again for another show!

The best venue for performing arts in Toronto! It's the home of national ballet and COC. I usually go there for ballet. But sometimes they also have other wonderful shows. The atmosphere there is incredible. This is true: no bad seats in the theatre. Only one thing: if you are afraid of heights, I don't recommend Ring 4 & Ring 5. : )

I know alot of people who really don't like this building from the outside. When I say really, I'm mean REALLY. But it doesn't bother me that much. It's a glass box, but at least it's a pretty glass box. Plus, it's what you see inside that glass box that really matter. It's a gorgeous wood everything kind of place, with smooth curves and warm tones. The sound inside the actual performance space is fantastic. Last time I was here, I was seated pretty high up, but the sound was impeccable and it carried beautifully.

Opera night with my love -Rigoletto- Fabulous play, wonderful evening in a world-class theatre

My mother sang in the chorus of "The Tales of Huffman" 35 years ago. I took her to see the production at Four Seasons Centre in Toronto and we had the greatest experience. I went to pick up rush seats at 10am the morning of the show and not only was the lineup the most civil experience of my life but the staff was unbelievably helpful. We had amazing box seats and enjoyed everything about the performance and the venue.

This place is never a disappointment. Anything I have ever seen here was amazing. We have seasons tickets to the opera performances and I look forward to seeing each one. The venue is so beautiful and well designed. The staff is always friendly and even the patrons are great most of the time.

Beautiful modern design, though the constant bleached wood and metal is a little Ikea. Still - it's a proud showplace to have downtown for our glorious National Ballet and Canadian Opera Company and finally getting it built is something to be very very proud of. My only complaint is the sparse 5th ring lobby area and lack of detailing up there - as well as sight line issues from that level that mean you often miss anything far upstage. This includes the wonderful painted backdrops and the sumptuous entrance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from a giant Faberge egg in The Nutcracker, or in the case of The Nightingale - anything that happened n the water area of the set downstage (the projections on the screens were a weak attempt to reconcile this for a theatre presentation). The best advice would be to spend a little extra and go a little lower. Tier 4 seems devoid of these problems and my personal favorite is Tier 3 seating - wonderful! I can't wait to see how Miss Saigon (with it's roots in Madame Butterfly) and South Pacific look in this beautiful space this summer (2010).

This is a beautiful venue with great acoustics. We saw the National Ballet here and it was a magical experience, both aesthetically and acoustically. The wood and glass in the foyer are beautiful, and there are lots of great spots to enjoy a glass of wine at intermission. I'm excited for my next show here!

Great venue. I really like how you can hear the music from outside the theatre, it really improves the working environment. The venue is also very organized and their ushers work very efficiently.

The theatre is very modern and lovely. I've been here several times, usually for under 30 tickets which allow you to buy seats in the upper rings and automatically upgrade your seats on the day of if there are ones available in the orchestra. That being said, I was worried our regular ring 4 seats for the nutcracker would make it difficult to see the show. I was pleasantly surprised that I could see the stage very well (we did sit first row in the middle), plus it was nice to see the orchestra and choir from above. The seats are heavily tiered so no matter where you sit I'm sure the view isn't as obstructed compared to other theatres I've been to in Toronto. I agree that the concession stands are on the pricey side, but that's to be expected at any venue in the city.

This theatre is everything I don't like in a theater, very modern. Thats not a bad thing, its just not my preference. I love the older theatres with history, however still amazing and beautiful. I have seen several shows here over the years and strangely enough for plays, I found the acoustics to be lacking. Not sure why. It wouldn't be my first choice of venues but I still like it very much.

j'adore. always fun to go. dress down or up- not a big deal. there is never a bad seat in the house buy tix online to avoid disappointment. definitely go for the youth discounts and rush discounts (rmeember ther eis never a bad seat in the house so even on discounted tix you're good to go). Definitely a must every coupl months to go see ballet, opera or whatever whether you are new or old to Toronto. GO!

I've seen two ballets and an opera at this beautiful building. I saw Swan Lake recently and let me tell you, one of the best performances (as in concerts, musicals, etc.) I've ever seen. I was blown away by the talent and the choreography. I was thoroughly entertained through out the entire show. The set and costumes were just exquisite. In the lobby they have a bar, that serves alcohol and drinks before the show and during intermission. Service is friendly and efficient. Definitely come here to see a performance, you won't regret it!