Classical music has a reputation for being “stuffy” or “elitist.” This isn’t surprising, given that the performing arts developed out of privilege, wealth and status. As such, the general public has long associated classical music with the über -wealthy: dressed in tuxes and gowns, sitting for long hours, following endless, unbreakable rules of etiquette. At a time when equity and individuality are at the forefront of everyone’s minds, this doesn’t sound particularly appealing to most people.
This time has long since passed, and concert venues are working to change with the times. Many are allowing food and drink into the hall (which I think is great, by the way). There are now “young professionals nights,” with special receptions for patrons under the age of 30. And you’d be hard pressed to find a venue that doesn’t have social media accounts, where patrons are encouraged to post selfies at the concert. Ticket prices have dropped, dress codes are a thing of the past, and many companies offer meet-and-greets with the performers for a more human touch.
I’m thrilled that these changes are taking place. And I’m happy to do away with a lot of the “old guard” traditions, like wearing gowns to the opera or insisting that one not wear a coat during the performance. But I am concerned that basic ideas of concert etiquette are getting lost as well. And that’s a problem for everyone.
Manners Matter
Change is good, and rolling with the times is healthy and necessary. But I’ve seen audience members record performers on their cell phones without permission; arrive late and disrupt performances; hold entire conversations during an aria. This is highly problematic, because basic concert etiquette is how we show respect for performers as they undertake something that demands complete focus and precision.
Here’s what I want you to know: classical musicians spend years in school training and studying. They spend hundreds of hours preparing for a concert before a single rehearsal ever takes place. And they organize their lives to be able to perform at the highest possible level. This is their livelihood, and their life’s work.
When we get down to brass tacks, what we’re talking about is manners. There are basic manners that everyone should observe when attending a live performance. As someone who has been performing on stages across the US for nearly 20 years, here are the top 5 behaviors I hope you’ll consider:
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Feel free to react to the moment.
Never be afraid to laugh, cry, applaud or react to our performances on stage. We want to engage and entertain you! Our goal is to present you with expressions of the true human condition, and we want to give you an authentic and sincere experience. When we hear your reactions, we know we’re doing our job!
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Please don’t record the performance on your phone.
This is a big one for me, personally. You may be very excited about what you’re seeing, but being recorded without consent is a horrible feeling. I’m a human being, not an attraction for you to photograph. By the way, it’s also illegal. I promise, you will enjoy what you’re seeing more if you aren’t watching it through a lens.
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Save the conversation for intermission.
There may be bright lights shining on the stage, but most of the time I can still see you. I can see you when you talk to your neighbor or are staring at your cell phone while I’m performing. I can see if you’ve fallen asleep in your seat. Often, I can HEAR you too. I love when audience members react to a moment in the performance, but it is seriously distracting to hear another conversation coming from the house seats while I’m trying to perform.
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Arriving late affects everyone, not just your neighbors.
Everyone runs late once in awhile. But please take care to be as quiet and quick as possible when you arrive. The performance is stalled because of your late entrance. We’re holding on stage until you get situated. That affects all the performers involved, and it also affects the experience of literally everyone in the theater.
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Please stay through the applause.
Imagine preparing a huge presentation for your company, only to have the entire room walk out before you’re finished. That’s what it’s like for us when you leave before curtain call.
Leaving before the applause has ended is not only rude, it tells performers that you don’t value what they just did. Believe me, I understand: it’s late, you’re tired and hungry, and you want to get out of the parking garage before it’s deadlocked. But it’s incredibly deflating to sing for 3.5 hours only to see the house emptying before you’ve even taken your bow.
It’s important to say that I’m only speaking for myself here, and not all artists. But I think these are the five most important pieces of etiquette that everyone could benefit from. Performers will feel respected, audience members will have a better experience, and coming together as a community to enjoy a performance will be more enjoyable for everyone!
