The anticipation for summer was palpable on Tuesday morning as dedicated fans of the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Tanglewood venue in the Berkshires region of Massachusetts lined up in the freezing cold to secure tickets for the upcoming season.
Despite the chilly 25-degree temperature and wind-whipped flurries, Gary Soldati, 72, was the first in line at 6 a.m., eager to kick off the summer season. As the box office didn’t open until 10 a.m., Soldati and other early birds braved the cold, clutching hot cups of coffee and reminiscing about past summers at Tanglewood.
For many residents of Lenox and surrounding towns, the opening day of ticket sales marked the beginning of the countdown to summer. The return of the outdoor concerts after a pandemic-induced hiatus in 2020 and a shortened season in 2021 brought a sense of relief and excitement to the community.
As the day progressed, ticket sales were brisk, with 745 tickets sold to 111 patrons in person, and a total of about 20,000 tickets sold on opening day. Fans were eager to secure seats for performances by renowned artists like Jon Batiste and the annual favorite, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
Despite the cold and the long wait, the atmosphere at the box office was festive, with music teacher Jonathan Cade, who recently retired, enjoying the lighthearted summer vibes. However, the thought of late-season concerts in August brought a twinge of sadness, as it meant the end of the beloved summer season in the Berkshires.
As the day came to a close, fans left the box office with their tickets in hand, looking forward to the warm summer days ahead and the magical experience of enjoying world-class music in the picturesque setting of Tanglewood.
