Venice - gondolier & Vivaldi evening concert recommendations please

I've heard that gondola rides are a premium product, very expensive, and have not done one. What do you mean by "off the beaten path?" The gondoliers don't hang around "off the beaten path", and they don't go that fast or far, I would expect. It's not like a sailboat where you can run the engine for a while if you need to.

The first question about a concert is whether you regularly attend classical music concerts at home. That's to help posters here determine whether you want to attend an actual cultural event, or a "tourist concert." (The latter is not a bad thing, it's just different. And it's usually ... shorter. Is anyone in the group dubious about going to to a concert?) Related questions are how far you want to go from your hotel, and whether you want to have dinner before or after the concert. Venice is safe enough at night, but if you have trouble finding your way around, it might be stressful in the dark. Do you want to list the concerts you are considering?

Have you got phones with mapping apps?

https://veneziaunica.it/ Official site for Venice. Wealth of information.

There are gondola “posts” throughout Venice where gondoliers will park awaiting fares. Not sure how you can find out where they are exactly, but I do know there is one on Rio Marin by Ristorante Pizzeria on Fondamenta Marin. I remember seeing a few other places off the beaten track of the Grand Canal where 2-3 gondoliers stage themselves. There are actually signs at the respective canal saying something that relates to being a place to hire a gondolier.

There are Venice aficionados on the forum that hopefully will give you more exact info.

And definitely check out rowvenice.org. Not a gondola but a battele (sp?) all of you will get to row.

A friend and I stumbled across a "side canal" gondola station at twilight. There were only 2 or 3 gondolas there. We set off for a ride through side canals... out to the main canal to see the well-on-the-beaten-path-and-rightfully-so Rialto Bridge near the end of twilight... and then back on side canals for moonlight. It was awesome and well worth the (premium) price!

Season ticket holders to the local symphony orchestra's concert hall series, theater series, and chamber orchestra series, we also chose to see Virtuosi Italiani's Four Seasons concert at Santa Maria della Pieta Church. Yup, it's a "tourist concert," but the musicians are excellent and the setting is super cool. The concert was much enjoyed.

Only one experience to speak from, but the best part of the gondola ride for us was being out on the Grand Canal as its getting dark and the lights are coming on at all the restaurants and bars and there's music in the air. The boat traffic slows down when it's getting dark. I think the gondolas generally follow regular routes, which includes the Grand Canal, and back via canals. Some of those back canals were dark and smelly, and not exactly scenic, so you need the grand experience.

Your hotel can probably tell you where the closest "stand" is to your hotel.

Thank you all for your rpelies. Dave, I think you're on to the gondola experience we want. Something in Cannaregio probably, but not sure where to look for those particular gondoliers. I could be wrong, but I think I read that each gondolier has a particlar gondola stand they use, perhaps according to seniority.
Yes, the "touristy concerts" are what we'll be going to, as we aren't at all sophisticated about this type of music.
I did read about older posts about the rowvenice site, but I'm reluctant to attempt that one, as my "new knee" isn't as good as I'd hoped considering all the rehab and gym exercises that are ongoing.
Di you all think it's best to buy concert tickets the day of ot the day before the performance based on looking at flyers, billboards and such?

There are usually good quality concerts at the Chiesa della Pieta just east of the Piazza San Marco and also at the Chiesa di San Vidal by the Accademia Bridge.

Once during a concert at the Pieta, of Vivaldi's Four Seasons by a reputable string quartet, during a quiet solo passage, a giant cruise ship sounded its horn just outside the front door. The solo violinist didn't miss a beat, but gave a noticeable eye roll. Cruise ships are no more in the canal.

https://www.classictic.com/it/venezia/santa-maria-della-piet%C3%A0/1425/

I enjoyed the evening concert at the San Vidal church located near the Accademia Bridge. I stayed at Hotel Ala the last three times in Venice, and it’s just a short walk from there.

https://www.musicinvenice.com/chiesa-di-san-vidal-venice,%20italy-locations-classic-music.html?id_luogo=239&filtro=4&dal=04/16/19

Our gondola ride started from this location: Gondola Bacino Orseolo
If you Google “Gondola locations Venice” you can see some of the starting locations on a map. Yes, don’t reserve anything ahead of time. Just go to a location to see the gondola - some have a little customization with their bench colors or design, and also you can pick the gondolier - some are wearing the striped shirts, etc. They are all the same price.

We are visiting Venice mid May. How have the canal water levels been? Some of the photos I’ve seen at low tide look awful.

I have been to the Vivaldi Four Seasons put on by interpreti Venezia I. Performances are in a church by the Accademia bridge. My daughter and I have tickets again in august

We are visiting Venice mid May. How have the canal water levels been? Some of the photos I’ve seen at low tide look awful.

Don't believe everything you read in the newspapers. This has been discussed here numerous times lately, and the consensus is "Fake News"..

Like other posters above we enjoyed I Virtuosi Italiani's Four Seasons concert at Santa Maria della Pieta Church (September 2021). A great finale to our week in Venice before flying home the next morning.

Postart- We were in Venice 2 weeks ago and water levels were just fine! Other friends were there in February and they said the same. I wouldn't worry.

Thanks again everyone. This forum is a big help, as always.