Accessibility

Accessible seating is available for each performance at all price levels. Members of the Audience Services team are available to assist with purchasing these at 617.542.6772 or boxoffice@blo.org.

Service animals are welcome to all productions and programs. If you intend to be accompanied by a service animal, please email boxoffice@blo.org at the time of your ticket purchase so you and your service animal can be seated comfortably.

Digital programs are currently available for each production. A link can be found on the webpage of each opera for viewing and download.

Assistive listening devices are available at the Box Office at every production, with the exception of the Opera + Community Studios. This is a newly renovated space and we are in the process of acquiring the technology to provide this service.

Surtitles in English are provided for every production at each performance venue.

Boston Lyric Opera is dedicated to meeting the needs of each of our patrons to the best of our ability, so that everyone has an enjoyable opera experience. We are committed to implementing best practices to ensure that opera is accessible to all, and this is an ongoing process.

Do you have a question or concern about your accessibility needs? We are more than happy to help! Please contact us at boxoffice@blo.org and one of our staff will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

Assistive Listening Services

Assisted Listening services are available for all performances. Please visit the House Manager’s podium in the lobby upon entry to receive a listening device.

Wheelchair access

Wheelchair access is available at the main entrance to the building on Boylston Street. Please request wheelchair seating from a sales representative at time of purchase. Designated ADA seating locations are located on the Orchestra level of the theatre. An ADA accessible restroom is also located on the Orchestra level. There is no elevator access in the building.

Service animals

Service dogs that are trained to provide services or tasks for guests with disabilities are permitted. Examples of services include: guiding a guest who is blind, alerting a guest who is deaf, interrupting a compulsive behavior.
 
All service dogs must:
•  Be under the handler’s control at all times. In most cases this means on a harness or leash.
•  Be housebroken.
•  Not pose a legitimate, direct threat to health or safety.
•  Not take up additional seats unless a ticket has been purchased for the adjacent seat for the service dog.

Emotional support animals

Emotional support animals, sometimes referred to as “comfort animals” or “companion animals”, whose sole function is to provide comfort or support, are not considered service animals under the ADA or the Massachusetts law and are not permitted.

Learn more about accessibility at the Emerson Colonial Theatre

Information courtesy of the Emerson Colonial Theatre as of 10/23/25

Arrival At Symphony Hall

For our guests needing accommodations, we recommend arriving at the Cohen Wing entrance located at the front of Symphony Hall (251 Huntington Avenue), where there is a curb cut for wheelchairs and drop-off. Our trained usher staff will be able to assist as needed with entering the hall and finding your seat location.

Parking

On-street parking for patrons with disabilities is available on a first-come, first-served basis on St. Stephen Street near the Stage Door and on Huntington Avenue near the Cohen Wing. There is also space on Huntington Avenue near the Cohen Wing entrance reserved for drop-off and pick-up only.

Area parking garages offer spaces for patrons with disabilities; please contact individual garages for their specific accessible parking options.

Elevators

The elevator in the Cohen Wing brings patrons to all levels of Symphony Hall. The glass elevator on the Massachusetts Avenue side of the hall reaches the first and second balconies. A wheelchair-accessible ramp connects the Cohen Wing to the orchestra level.

Accessible Seating

You may purchase tickets for a wheelchair and a companion seat on the orchestra floor in rows Q, X, and W (as needed). By selecting a wheelchair location seat, your seat will always be removed to accommodate your wheelchair. These seats are available at every price level. Symphony Hall can also accommodate the access needs of patrons not in wheelchairs.

Assistive Listening Devices

FM assistive listening devices are available free of charge; we offer both headsets and multi-channel receivers for Phonic Ear™. Please let an usher know if you need a device when entering the hall. Patrons are also welcome to use their own headset and receiver by setting their devices to the FM frequencies on 74.725 MHZ (channel #35) or 75.225 MHZ (channel #37).

Also available is an inductive hearing loop for patrons in the first and second balconies in the hall; these are accessible with any hearing aid or listening device equipped with a Telecoil.

Service Animals

Service animals only are welcomed in Symphony Hall. Patrons bringing their service animal to a concert should inform a representative when purchasing tickets at the Subscription Office (617-266-7575) or Ticketing and Customer Service (617-266-1200).

Wheelchairs

Wheelchairs are available upon request at the Cohen Wing entrance for patrons who need assistance getting to their seats. A staff member or an usher will assist you.

Learn more about accessibility at Symphony Hall. 

Information courtesy of Symphony Hall as of 10/23/25

Wheelchair Access

Wheelchair access to the Opera + Community Studios is available at 15 Channel Center Street. BLO Staff will be on site to assist with wayfinding and other needs. Restrooms with accessible stalls are located on both levels. Accessible seats are available for each performance at all price levels. Please note that Rows E-L in the performance space require some use of stairs. If you have question or concern about an accessibility need, please contact us at boxoffice@blo.org and one of our staff will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

Fire Exits

Fire exits are marked by red illuminated signs. The exit closest to your seat indicates the shortest route out of the building. In the event of a fire or other emergency, calmly walk to the closest exit and proceed outside to street level, using stairs only (not elevators). If an evacuation is needed, please follow the instructions of the Head Usher and Usher Staff.

Assistive Listening Devices

Assistive listening devices are currently unavailable at the Opera + Community Studios. This is a newly renovated space and we are in the process of acquiring the technology to provide this service.