Posted by Steve Haddad on October 25, 2003 at 13:22:32:
In Reply to: discouraging audience appreciation posted by HeWhoBlowsThruBrass on October 25, 2003 at 13:06:30:
Bravo!! I couldn't agree more, and have often been dismayed by this disparity in "concert etiquette" between symphonic and operatic presentations. The most heart rending or exciting presentation of a symphonic movement that is not the final movement is greeted with silence, while even a mediocre performance of a soprano or tenor "war horse" aria in an opera will bring the performance to a halt while the conductor patiently waits for the applause to subside. As a performer in both symphony and opera orchestras, it is sometimes discouraging to feel as though you have played your heart out and then get no feedback from the audience. Our brass quintet NEVER discourages applause, no matter where it occurs, and I agree that it is rude for a performer to do so!