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
There is no substitute for live shows even with all the flaws. The view of the performers, the clarity and enjoying it with my friends and family still makes it worth the negatives. I go see the Cleveland Orchestra often as its close and they are in top 5 in entire world IMO so its always a treat. We have season tics to Youngstown Symphony and they are surprisingly good with what I feel an under rated conductor.
A great system that I and my father both enjoy for different strengths as his and mine are very different are a great substitute but still just a substitute to the real experience.
As a side note my dad majored in Pipe Organ, Flute, Violinand voice and has conducted.
"I go see the Cleveland Orchestra often as its close and they are in top 5 in entire world IMO so its always a treat"

Remember, Europe is in the world also.
Rok, you dont the Cleve is top 5 in entire world? I do and thought others did aswell. Interested in your take, considered elite at minimum!