This summer, bring the whole family to one of the finest outdoor music venues in the country, Blossom Music Center, for the 2024 Cleveland Orchestra's Blossom Music Festival.
Widely considered one of the best orchestras in the world, they play sell-out concerts throughout Europe, Asia and the United States, not to mention at home at Severance Music Center. But every summer, the orchestra returns to Blossom.
There is no better way to spend a balmy summer evening than with your picnic basket full of your favorite foods and beverages, spread out on a blanket under the stars and listening to world-class music.
For the Adventurer
Dust off your old fedora and release your inner adventurer when The Cleveland Orchestra plays to "Indiana Jones and The Raiders of the Lost Ark" at Blossom’s season opener, June 29–30. The movie that launched the famous franchise is full of rousing music and thrilling special effects. But that’s not the only movie to enjoy with the family. On August 2, be transported to Middle Earth and travel with Hobbits, Elves and the Fellowship of the Ring. Live orchestra, chorus and soloists will perform the epic music that accompanies the epic battle between the forces of light and dark in "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."
The Cleveland Orchestra offers a fresh take on American classics on July 6. World-renowned banjo player Béla Fleck performs an exciting new banjo transcription of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. The orchestra will also perform William Grant Still’s Symphony No. 1, “Afro-American,” which features a celeste, harp and tenor banjo.
The musicians of The Cleveland Orchestra are sought-after soloists around the world. But The Land is their home and we get to enjoy them year-round. You can hear the orchestra’s Principal Trumpet, Michael Sachs, perform Alexander Arutiunian’s Trumpet Concerto on July 13. This virtuoso showpiece will be followed by Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 3, widely considered one of his finest compositions. On July 27, Principal Cello Mark Kosower performs William Walton’s elegant and compelling Cello Concerto. The Cleveland Orchestra then plays Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, which received an ovation lasting over half an hour at its premiere in 1937. On August 17, the depth of The Cleveland Orchestra’s virtuosity will be on full display with Tchaikovsky’s very popular Symphony No. 5.
For the Romantic
Blossom provides the perfect spot for a romantic date night — or three. You won’t be able to stop yourself from singing along with Leslie Odom, Jr., the original Aaron Burr, in the ever-popular Broadway musical "Hamilton." On July 21, this Tony and Grammy award-winning sensation makes his Cleveland Orchestra debut. You can’t get any more romantic or swoon-worthy than an evening listening to the legendary John Legend on August 8. He will blend his greatest hits with stories from his life and selections from recent releases. Let his rich, mellow voice wash over you. And on August 25, Ol’ Blue Eyes himself gets a beautiful tribute from singer/pianist/songwriter Tony DeSare. Desare channels Frank Sinatra as he croons classics such as “Come Fly With Me,” “New York, New York” and “My Way.”
For the Family
Show your love for The Land and for this country during the “Salute to America” concert on July 3. The Blossom Festival Band plays a mix of patriotic marches and Broadway favorites. Is someone in your family a member of the military? There is always a special recognition for our men and women in uniform with the Armed Forces Salute. And the kids will love the glorious fireworks that end the evening with a bang.
Blossom ends the season with a musical and visual extravaganza. Cirque de la Symphonie choreographs astounding mid-air acrobatics to hits from "Frozen," "Les Misérables" and "Miss Saigon." What an amazing way to end the summer.
Pack Your Picnic Basket
Blossom Music Center’s amenities will impress you as well. The expansive, well-manicured Lawn is the ideal location for your blanket or some low-legged chairs to sit on. You’ll see picnickers dine on everything from hot dogs and potato salad to wine, cheese and charcuterie. But if you’d rather not pack a meal, don’t worry. There are food and dessert stands throughout the grounds or grab-and-go selections at Kulas Plaza. Blossom Grille is a full-service restaurant and bar, or you can pre-order a picnic basket from them and pick it up when you arrive.
Blossom is equipped with a state-of-the-art sound system, so you’ll have great acoustics no matter where you sit. And if being closer to the orchestra and the stage is more to your liking, there is comfortable seating inside the covered Pavilion. Blossom is also very affordable. With the purchase of every regular-priced ticket, you can receive two free youth tickets. So, enjoy a concert with the whole family without breaking the bank.
With weeks of programming offering something for every musical taste and audience, there’s no reason to sit out the Blossom Music Festival this summer. So, grab your picnic basket, find your fluffiest blanket and get ready for your own orchestral summer outing.
Check out the full 2024 Blossom Music Festival lineup here.