SHHHHHHH! - the etiquette of quiet

SHHHHHHH!

Sunday evening I attended a chamber concert with Giovanna at Northwestern. Prior to the concert, I didn’t have time to read the program since I was interested in catching up with Giovanna. Once the concert began, I read the program only specific to the music being played and bios of two performers. Very cognizant of how sensitive the serious music lovers are; I was very careful to turn pages as quietly as possible. I thought I did a very good job since nobody gave me the evil eye.

During intermission, Giovanna and I discussed the music. Just as the house lights were being turned down, the woman in front of me asks me not to read the program during the concert. While I am digesting this information, the gentleman seated next to her further suggested I put my program down now because then I can make no noise at all. In the spirit of cooperation, I did not read my program but I started to get quite annoyed with this couple. I didn’t care much for the tone of their voices, which was edgy and agitated, but why wait until intermission is over? Why not tell me when I at least have time to read ahead before the concert resumes?

It was with great pleasure I observed the four people directly left of the original complainer were reading their program throughout the second half. When the concert was over, the gentleman bolted quickly. The woman lingered a few minutes and left alone. Maybe I should have introduced them to each other, they seemed to have a lot in common.

Remember in the days when music was on records? There were all sorts of pops, hisses and white-noise background noises, how did the serious music crowd survive? Dolby gave them some relief, but it wasn’t perfect.

I didn’t eat cellophane wrapped candies. I didn’t tap my foot on the rear of their chair. I didn’t go into coughing spasms. I simply read my program taking care to be as quiet as possible. I’m doing my best to be quiet, why cannot they do their best to be tolerant?

Regards,

I didn’t care much for the tone of their voices, which was edgy and agitated, but why wait until intermission is over? Why not tell me when I at least have time to read ahead before the concert resumes?

They probably waited so that you wouldn't have a chance to reply; they wanted to be able to lay down the law to you while having the last word.

I don't think it's reasonable to expect people not to read their programs. What, you're supposed to memorize the way the movements are labeled and stuff like that? And I'm somewhat of a grouch about noise during concerts. I won't even sit in the pavilion at Ravinia any more because I had one too many concerts ruined by people talking. But at most concerts, quite a number of people are reading programs and I've never seen anyone ask someone to stop.

At last Sunday's Cecilia Bartoli concert tons of people were reading their programs during the performance. My word, those people you mention, Cathy, urf!

Cathy,

Don't give it a second thought. If you were doing your best to read quietly, the problem is theirs, not yours. During song recitals, in particular, many audience members follow along line-by-line. If the performers and concert managers wanted to discourage that behavior, they would not print the lyrics and their translations in the programs.

I wonder what that couple would have done if someone sat next to them with the actual score in their lap and followed along bar-by-bar, something I've seen on occasion.

Reminds me of the season tickets we had behind the "couple from hell", well-respected supporters of the symphony who made it difficult for anyone in the vicinity to enjoy the concert. He had some kind of nervous tick or respiratory disorder that caused him to clear his throat every 30 seonds or so. And every few minutes, she would drag out her purse, open it, scrounge around for her glasses, put them on, read the program for a few seconds, and return the glasses to the purse. Once she even took out some floss and began cleaning her teeth! I got the impression she was bored out her goard and had no interest in the music.

Bill/SFNM

Back when I was a subscriber to the Lyric Opera I followed along with the libretto that I purchased upon entry. I didn't notice that it made much/any noise. I certainly never received any feedback like you did and, in box seats, I would certainly have expected that somebody annoyed would have let me know. I think the folks that unloaded on you were simply highly excitable and are the kind of people to be ignored - they probably complain about people talking on the elevator on the way up.