Fed up with people making noise at classical shows


Last night I heard Vladimir Feltsman perform Chopin's Ballades at the Perelman Theater in Philadelphia's Kimmel Center. My excitement was building as my favorite part of the first Ballade approached. Immediately before the key was struck, someone sneezed. It was at that moment that I asked myself, "What the hell am I doing here? I have this at home, recorded by three different pianists." Throughout the performance were the sounds of coughing, sneezing moving in one's seat, dropping of programs, and talking.

I know this is the chance you take when attending live classical concerts and I LOVE hearing live music, but frankly I'm sick of it. I'm sick of paying money for traveling and the ticket itself just to be annoyed for two hours. Last Tuesday night a ringing cell phone disrupted a performance by the New York Philharmonic to the point where the conductor actually stopped the orchestra half way through Mahler's Ninth and addressed the moron who wouldn't shut it off.

Once, DURING A PERFORMANCE, someone got out of their seat, walked up to the stage and began "conducting the orchestra" with an imaginary baton.

As I said, I love attending live music, but when things like this happen, I'm ready to just stay home and save myself the aggravation.

Sorry, just had to vent.
devilboy
Well Lucifer, I am totally immersed in the music and usually sit in the first row so it is possible I missed a cough or two , still never heard one. . 
The only places I've even been that had audiences as good as the Twin Cities are Budapest , Tokyo and Finland in general  where Sibelius's Birthday is a National Holiday !

Anyone who comes from a place where their boo Santa Claus is suspect 
in any event .
Lmao! That's the funniest thing you've said since we started "chatting".
See Schube, we CAN be friends!
Years ago I sat behind two teens who talked continuously. I leaned forward and nicely whispered, "Would you please stop talking?" They kept quiet for a few minutes, then resumed. So, I rolled up my program, bopped one of them on the back of the head and said in a "Dirty Harry" voice, "I asked you to stop talking. Don't make me do it again." That got their attention, and they left at intermission!