How to behave in a philharmonic? 10 simple rules for "dummies"

People educated and frequenter concerts of metropolitan philharmonic, theaters, etc. This article will seem silly, because everyone should know these simple rules, but alas ... Life shows: not everyone knows how to behave in the philharmonic society.

Recently, in provincial cities, a trip to a concert at the Philharmonic is perceived as an amusing, entertaining event akin to going to the cinema. Hence the attitude to the concert, or the play, as to the show. And it should be somewhat different.

So, here are these simple rules of conduct at a philharmonic party:

1. Come to the Philharmonic 15-20 minutes before the concert. What you need to have time to do during this time? To hand over outerwear and bags in the wardrobe, visit the toilet or a smoking room if necessary, be sure buy a program and read it. What is a program? This is the content of a concert or performance - as usual, all information about the concert is printed: a list of performed works, information about authors and performers, historical references, the duration of the evening, a summary of a ballet or opera, etc.
2. Turn off your mobile phone during the concert (performance). And if you left it on silent mode, then do not answer the incoming call while the music is playing, in extreme cases - write a text message, but in general - do not be distracted.
3. Passing along the row to your place - go face to the one who is already sitting. Believe me, it's very unpleasant to contemplate someone's ass a few centimeters away. If you are sitting and trying to get past you, take a seat and cover the seat of the chair. Make it so that a passing person does not have to squeeze through your knees.
4. If you are late and the concert has begun, then do not rush into the hall, stand at the door and wait until the first number ends. You will learn about it by a flurry of sounding applause. If the first piece in the program is long, still risk crossing the threshold of the hall (it’s not for nothing that you paid for the ticket), but don’t look for your row - sit down at the first available place (then change).
5. Between the parts of the performed work (sonatas, symphonies, suites) not accepted to applaud, because the execution of the work is not over yet. In such a situation, there are usually few people clapping themselves, and by their behavior they pretend to be an eccentric, and they sincerely wonder why no one supported their applause in the hall. You did not know before that between the parts do not clap? Now you know!
6. If you, or your child, suddenly wanted to go out in the middle of a concert - wait for a pause in the rooms and quickly, but quietly, go out before the music has started. Remember that walking around the hall during a musical act you insult the musicians by showing them your disrespect!
7. If you want to give flowers to a soloist or conductor, get ready in advance. As soon as the last note fades away, and the hall is about to applaud, run to the stage and hand the bouquet! Running out onto the stage and catching up with a departed musician is a bad form.
8. It is impossible to eat and drink during a concert, or a performance, you are not in a cinema! Respect the musicians and actors who work for you, they are people too, and may also want to eat - do not tease them. And the matter is not even in others, it is in you, dear ones. You can’t understand classical music by chewing chips. The music that is played in the philharmonic society, you need not only to listen formally, but also to hear, and this is not the work of the ears, but the brain and there is no time to be distracted by food.
9. Curious children! If you were brought to a play at the theater, do not throw pieces of paper, chestnuts and stones into the orchestra pit! People with musical instruments are sitting in the pit, and your pranks can hurt both a person and an expensive instrument! Adults! Watch out for the kids!
10. And the last ... You can't be bored at philharmonic concerts, even if you think that you can never cope with classical music. The fact of the matter is that if necessary you need to prepare yourself to attend the concert. How? In advance to learn the program and get acquainted with the music, which will be performed that evening, also in advance. You can read something about this music (this will greatly facilitate your understanding), you can read about composers, preferably the same works and listen. From such preparation your impressions from the concert will significantly improve, and from classical music you will stop falling asleep.

Follow these simple rules, be polite and well-mannered! Let the evening give you good music. And as a result of good music, nothing more remains for you how to behave joyfully and enthusiastically at the philharmonic Enjoy your musical moments!