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
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!
Sneeze... maybe give it a pass.
A cough... it happens.
Coughing... stay at home you sick bastard.
Blowing nose... ditto.
Blowing nose like a trumpet with cloth handkerchief...  turf out on street by mob.
Schubert, I have to ask  - why on earth do you sit in the first row??  This is about the worst place in the hall to sit to take in the overall sound of the ensemble!!  Are you a fan of watching the soloists up very close, or something that?  You are definitely missing a great deal of the full effect of the ensemble sitting that close.