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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

Showing 1 response by almarg

almarg's avatar
almarg
9,670 posts
 
I usually prefer mid-hall seating at classical concerts. My one experience sitting in the very first row for a performance by full orchestra was at a concert many years ago at Tanglewood during which the BSO performed Prokofiev’s "Romeo and Juliet." I would estimate that peak volumes reached 115 to 120 db, and I noticed out of the corner of my eye at one point that my wife (who frequently asks me to set the volume on our system a bit higher than I tend to prefer) had her hands placed over her ears. :-)

Even in the case of chamber concerts featuring string quartets or other small ensembles, as well as solo piano, I find peak volume levels at or near front row center to verge on being uncomfortable. At least, that is, in smallish halls that don’t have large stage areas, and have seating that is close to the performers.

Best regards,
-- Al

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