FAQs For First Timers Answered
When you are going to see an orchestra perform, unless you have grown up with a family that practiced doing so, it can be a little confusing, as an orchestra performance isn’t a standard concert or live show.
Researchers found that as many as nine out of 10 people who visit an Opera House or an orchestra for the first time are not sure about the etiquette that surrounds it, and they have many questions that they may feel too embarrassed to ask their friends and family, as they wish to avoid making a social faux pas.
But don’t worry! In this very short article, the most common questions that are searched relating to seeing an orchestra perform for the first time are answered, so you can be a bit more educated about what you can expect.
How Long Does The Performance Last?
Orchestra concerts vary in length depending on the music that is being performed. For instance, if a concert is based around Beethoven, it may differ from one based on Mozart because the pieces that were written by these composers are different in length.
But whether you are going to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra or the London Symphony Orchestra, the majority of performances last between 90 minutes and 2 hours. If you’re going to see an opera production, this may be slightly longer.
Can You Take Photos?
You are perfectly free to take photos before the performance or during any intermissions that may occur. But photography or recordingusing the camera on your phone or taking a sound recording without the written permission of the orchestra that is playing is prohibited. So, plenty of photos when you arrive, no photos during the performance!
Are There Intervals?
Once again, this goes back to the length of the concert. If you see a matinee that lasts for around an hour, for example, there will not be an interval. But generally speaking, pieces that are over an hour long will have an interval that lasts around 20 minutes. To be sure, it is wise to call ahead to the concert that you are attending to check.
Is There an Age Limit?
In the majority of cases, most orchestra performances will welcome children that are aged five or above. However, if you are seeing a production that has an orchestra performing alongside it, such as Sweeney Todd, then there will be age categories, and these tend to be 8, 12, 15, 16, and 18.
Can You Eat While Watching a Performance?
This will depend on the hall or house that is holding the event. Some of them will allow you to take small snacks into the hall where the orchestra is performing, and others will not. Once again, it is worth calling ahead to check the policy.
However, most orchestra performances do not welcome the consumption of food while they are performing. The rustling of crisp packets and eating food can interfere with the harmonics of the hall, dulling the sound that is being produced by the instruments.
