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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
ebm
9,311 posts
 
How sad DUDE!!
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
Its arrogance when folks complain about a sneeze, and lets not pretend some of those women dont where horrible and over used perfume that can make people sneeze to begin with. Its entirely possible a man looks disgustedly backwards at the sneeze yet it was caused by his own wifes perfume.
learsfool
1,215 posts
 
Speaking of conductors reacting to audience noise, there is another great story about a conductor, I forget who, who when a cell went off in the front row of the audience, he turned around and said to the guy - "That's probably my wife, tell her I'm busy right now." It got a huge laugh and applause.

Most orchestras now pass out cough drops free, by the way, so at least there is that. Many, including mine, are struggling with these issues of etiquette, noise, dress, etc. They are tough questions. How do you educate the audience and/or attract younger audience members without intimidating them or insulting their intelligence?

Someone asked about the historical basis - historically, it was only the very rich who could afford say opera tickets, and they talked through the entire thing - opera in Italy in the 18th and 19th centuries was a social event - people would attend literally every single night, talking the whole way through, greatly annoying the very few who actually wanted to listen to the music. Much like movie theaters today, in fact quite a bit worse.
tom6897's avatar
tom6897
1,484 posts
 
What is wrong with having the Master of Ceremonies or whomever greats the crowd gently mention that for everyones enjoyment please observe the following procedures of ettiquet...? List three or four no-nos and most will get the point that being quiet and not disturbing the performance is called for.

People spend good money to attend and they should be rewarded for keeping the arts well attended. Everyone wins, it just takes a little common sense from the sponsors and the artists to train the uninformed. This can be done with tact and dignity. It should be printed on the program !

As an aside why not keep a plastic squirt gun in your pocket and shoot the offenders on the spot. It is not illegal and you will not go to jail for wetting and inconsiderate boob!
devilboy OP
1,176 posts
 
Yes, before every concert I've been to, the Master of Ceremonies, Program Director or whoever, asks the audience for the obvious: shut off cell phones, take candy out of the wrapper, etc. Apparently not everyone listens.

Brownsfan sees my point perfectly. It's not arrogance, it's common sense. There are actions which are acceptable in some places, not in others.

Chadnliz: American arrogance? Seriously? I'm an arrogant American because I believe the music and the PAYING audience members deserve the respect of silence during a piece of music? When I went to Pantera concerts, I was screaming and moshing with the rest of them. When I hear Barber's Adagio for strings I shut the hell up. I have common sense. I guess that makes me an arrogant American.
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