As the first light of dawn broke over the Berkshires region of Massachusetts on Tuesday morning, the temperature was a chilly 25 degrees with flurries in the air. Despite the wintry conditions, Gary Soldati, a 72-year-old resident of West Stockbridge, was undeterred as he arrived at Tanglewood, the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s outdoor concert venue, four hours before tickets for the summer season went on sale.
Mr. Soldati, a dedicated fan of the arts, was the first in line, eagerly anticipating the start of summer despite the lingering cold. For residents of New England, the first day of spring often brings hope of warmer days ahead, marked by small signs like a blooming crocus or longer daylight hours.
Just two miles away in downtown Lenox, locals like Monika Pizzichemi, manager at the Wit Gallery, were also feeling the excitement of the day. “You start to see a glimmer,” she said, reflecting on the approaching summer season and the return of outdoor concerts at Tanglewood.
The pandemic had forced the cancellation of the 2020 season and a shortened 2021 season at Tanglewood, causing financial strain for the region. However, the return of the concerts in 2022 brought relief and optimism, with ticket sales expected to increase by 5 percent compared to previous years.
As the morning progressed, dedicated fans of Tanglewood gathered at the box office, bundled up in parkas and clutching hot cups of coffee. Many of them, like Mr. Soldati, have been attending concerts at Tanglewood for decades, drawn to the beauty of the 500-acre campus and the world-class performances.
For these fans, Tanglewood is more than just a concert venue—it’s a place of deep personal significance. Leslee Carsewell, an artist from Sheffield, fondly recalled childhood summers spent at nearby Belvoir Terrace, where she first fell in love with the music of Tanglewood. Doro Lambert of Lenox shared her annual tradition of attending Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, a performance that never fails to move her to tears.
Despite the cold and the early hour, spirits were high as ticket sales began. With prices ranging from $20 for lawn seats to $249 for covered seats, fans eagerly purchased tickets for their favorite performances. While some were disappointed by sold-out shows, most left the box office with smiles on their faces, excited for the summer ahead.
As the day drew to a close, the Boston Symphony Orchestra reported that 745 tickets had been sold to 111 patrons in person, marking a successful start to the summer season at Tanglewood. Jonathan Cade, a local music teacher turned ticket seller, reflected on the day with a mix of nostalgia and anticipation, already dreading the end of summer before it had even begun.
For fans of Tanglewood, the start of ticket sales was not just a transaction—it was a celebration of music, community, and the promise of summer days ahead.
