Applause

[arancie33]

Reading the original post here reminded me of a fun video called The Clap. It's 12 and a half minutes, but well worth the time. (About concert performances rather than opera, but relevant all the same.)

Thank you for that - very funny and probably closer to reality than many realise. Many years ago I sat a few rows behind some fellow who had an aisle seat, and obviously by design. Within nanoseconds of an ending (opera again) he applauded. His aisle side arm was extended completely and windmilled up to meet the other raised vertically over his head for a bout of furious clapping. Quite fascinating to watch. I assumed in the end that he was probably a note or two short of the full score - he'd love the Last Night of the Proms.

[kernelbogey]

certain less well known, usually more recent works, could usefully employ something like a flag being raised to signify the end. Just because you have enjoyed a work, doesn't always mean its obvious when it has finished.

Just saying........

Surely the logical use of this excellent idea for a flag would be for, say, the leader to run the flag up a pole at the beginning of the work. At the end s/he could solemnly lower it while the players stood to attention (or remained seated if they didn't enjoy it). This would allow the performers to control the start of applause fully.

[Bryn]

Surely the logical use of this excellent idea for a flag would be for, say, the leader to run the flag up a pole at the beginning of the work. At the end s/he could solemnly lower it while the players stood to attention (or remained seated if they didn't enjoy it). This would allow the performers to control the start of applause fully.

Ah, but what of flag burners?!

[MrGongGong]

You mean like this ?

http://www.creativegames.org.uk/modules/Art_Technology/Futurism/Avraamov.htm

[kernelbogey]

You mean like this ?
http://www.creativegames.org.uk/modu...m/Avraamov.htm

Good one for the last night of the Proms.

[MrGongGong]

Good one for the last night of the Proms.

would be a great improvement IMV

[Mr Pee]

Reading the original post here reminded me of a fun video called The Clap. It's 12 and a half minutes, but well worth the time. (About concert performances rather than opera, but relevant all the same.)

I thought it was about something else entirely.....

[David-G]

With respect to you personally, gradus, the music does not 'invite' anything: it just is, being performed.

And to withhold 'shouting and applause', while possibly 'flying in the face of nature' for you and some others is perceived as considerate and civilised by yet others.

I think part of the problem here is that it is natural for us to feel excited - emotionally and physically - by certain endings, especially when performed with outstanding brilliance. It is 'natural' to release such excitement by making noise.

But being part of a civilised society - which the public performance of serious music helps to define - requires us in my view to restrain ourselves from offensive behaviour, just as most of us don't spit or urinate in the street.

But in much 18th and 19th century music and opera, composers wrote exciting endings with a view to generating applause.

Discernment on the part of the audience is required, to judge whether immediate applause, or a discreet silence, is called for.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

But in much 18th and 19th century music and opera, composers wrote exciting endings with a view to generating applause.

But since these composers are long since dead, I think we should now just appreciate their music, and not their vanity.

[David-G]

... the other evening I was appalled at the applause etiquette (seems an appropriate term for it) of many members of the audience. And not for the first time. They seem to think that their applause is somehow invalidated unless it starts microseconds after the piece has finished or the singer has stopped. Sadly, many seem not to know just when that occurs which is infuriating for the rest of us and the performers, especially in a pp ending. The woman beside my wife even poised her hands at face level, one foot apart, prepared to give it her all as soon as poor Violetta had breathed her last.

It has been mentioned that conductors sometimes keep the baton raised, to ensure a discreet silence before the applause. Opera houses could do something similar by delaying dropping the curtain. Covent Garden seems to pride itself on the curtains closing as the final note sounds, which is the cue for immediate applause. If they would only keep the curtain raised for 30 seconds after the end of an opera like La Traviata, this would effectively deter applause and would make all the difference.

[Ferretfancy]

It is emphatically not fine to clap between the movements at the Proms. I wondered how soon it would be before somebody chipped in on that particular subject. The applause between movements usually starts in the upper reaches of the hall seats, and does not come from the Prommers. Every year I get a bit peeved to read the patronising comments on this subject on these boards.

Sorry MrGongGong, but you really are wrong on this one, and incidentally they might well have Morton Feldman at a late night Prom with a very attentive audience.

[Serial_Apologist]

Sorry MrGongGong, but you really are wrong on this one, and incidentally they might well have Morton Feldman at a late night Prom with a very attentive audience.

My guess is that premature clappers would not be attracted to a late-night prom devoted to Morton Feldman.

[MrGongGong]

It is emphatically not fine to clap between the movements at the Proms. I wondered how soon it would be before somebody chipped in on that particular subject. The applause between movements usually starts in the upper reaches of the hall seats, and does not come from the Prommers. Every year I get a bit peeved to read the patronising comments on this subject on these boards.

Sorry MrGongGong, but you really are wrong on this one, and incidentally they might well have Morton Feldman at a late night Prom with a very attentive audience.

Exactly WHO decides this then ?
If you say it's "tradition" then you really need to read some more music history
And who on earth are these "prommers" anyway who in a self appointed act of bufton-tuftonism have decided who is allowed to attend their festival and how they should behave ?

[Bryn]

Exactly WHO decides this then ?
If you say it's "tradition" then you really need to read some more music history
And who on earth are these "prommers" anyway who in a self appointed act of bufton-tuftonism have decided who is allowed to attend their festival and how they should behave ?

Hear, (applause), hear!

[MrGongGong]

Hear, (applause), hear!

or

Heave (self congratulatory applause) ho