Returning to Live Performances

[gleem]

Years ago we frequented live performances of plays, symphonies, and dance. Then we moved and our attendance dropped dramatically because the best theaters were too far away. I retired and we moved again but lost the incentive to go to a theater although one was not too far away but seemed inconvenient and perhaps expensive. But then a show that we had seen and enjoyed decades ago arrived, Riverdance(30). It has been 30 years since its introduction in 1994. My wife bought tickets. Yesterday we attended a matinee performance rekindling the exciting experience of a live performance, a performance which cannot be appreciated any other way.

A fellow attendee sitting next to me commented, "Isn't this a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon."

Yes, it was.

 

[Hornbein]

Though I listen to a great deal of recorded music -- Youtube is miraculous -- I will go to a great deal of trouble to attend live performances. European classical music in particular evolved to sound good in real life and suffers from recording. Among other things recordings aren't loud enough, and European classical depends heavily on volume. As my music professor said, "My mother said, 'Always end the piece loud'". And that's what they almost always do.

I don't get into the crowd thing though. If I were the only one in the audience that would be fine with me.

 

[gleem]

Among other things recordings aren't loud enough, and European classical depends heavily on volume. As my music professor said, "My mother said, 'Always end the piece loud'". And that's what they almost always do.

That is one good thing about live performances you can feel the music, especially in a theater.

I don't get into the crowd thing though. If I were the only one in the audience that would be fine with me.

I don't particularly like stadium venues for performances with way too many people. Theaters have way fewer attendees and the acoustics are better. Covid was another thing that has lessened my desire to attend live performances during the last four years.