Famous People I've Sat by at a Concert

[ahinton]

Does standing at the next urinal to David Mellor at the Barbican count?

As what?(!)...

I forgot to mention earlier that I once found myself seated next to Robert Powell at a Wigmore recital by the Italian pianist Carlo Grante which included a large selection of the immensely challenging Chopin/Godowsky Studies, all splendidly performed; after this, someone sitting in front of me exclaimed "Jesus Christ!" and I just wished that Mr Powell - who must have heard this - had responded "yes?..."...

[amateur51]

... some people even claim that they have sat near to Me!

.

Do you feel the need of a good reputational lawyer, vints?

[Cheapskater]

Roy Strong was definitely there but I'd no idea that Jack Straw had attended....

Oops, nomenclature problem - I meant Sir Roy Strong (bet he's a Prof too). If Jack is following us, perhaps he'd like to confirm?

[mercia]

Prince Charles opened something or other at my school [how difficult is that ?]. I refused to shake his hand. He'd completely disrupted my day.
Accidentally burst in on George Malcolm changing his trousers for a school concert.

[MrGongGong]

Prince Charles opened something or other at my school. I refused to shake his hand.

was it an egg ?

oops no he has someone to open those for him doesn't he

[Richard Tarleton]

A well-known Northern Ireland politician and his wife were at Die Walkure on 18th October in the ROH. Things being what they are in NI I'll play safe and not mention his name. They were milling about downstairs.

Also allegedly present, along with 2 cabinet colleagues, was George Osborne, fresh from his first class ticket embarrassment, trying not to be spotted at the back of a box. I didn't see him but was told (before Siegfried) by someone who did.

[clive heath]

As non-musical events seem to be allowed : ....we were sitting in anticipation of the curtain-up to the David Hare/Terence Rattigan double-bill, in which Anna Chancellor featured, recently and found ourselves directly behind her co-stars in "The Hour", Romola Garai and Ben Wishaw (knew her by sight, had to look him up). The follow-up ("The Second Hour"?) was being recorded at the time.

Have just noticed the post immediately above to be reminded that when I was lucky enough to get the Pot-Luck tickets for Sir Colin's box at the ROH, (it was Don Pasquale ( beggars can't etc.) ) there was an armed guard adjacent the next box in which there was a well-known NI politician no longer in post. A little frisson!

[ahinton]

Oops, nomenclature problem - I meant Sir Roy Strong (bet he's a Prof too). If Jack is following us, perhaps he'd like to confirm?

I doubt that Jack Straw follows us here but I can confirm that Sir Roy Strong's distinguished career has not included a professorship.

[Pianorak]

Dagmar Godowsky and Shura Cherkassky (RFH) late 60s.

[Osborn]

What a daft thread! Shouldn't you be tweeting to Breakfast rather than publishing here? Were you London cabbies in earlier life? "Guess who was sitting in your seat 10 mins ago Guv/Mam? Give you free guesses!" - "Frank Sinatra?" - "Nah" - "King Canute?" - "Nah, but getting nearer" etc
Bet some of you asked for autographs as well!

[MrGongGong]

What a daft thread! Shouldn't you be tweeting to Breakfast rather than publishing here? Were you London cabbies in earlier life? "Guess who was sitting in your seat 10 mins ago Guv/Mam? Give you free guesses!" - "Frank Sinatra?" - "Nah" - "King Canute?" - "Nah, but getting nearer" etc
Bet some of you asked for autographs as well!

I sat next to your dad Ozzy on the tube once

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

I was at a Bruckner 5 Prom conducted by Abbado and in the seats behind me were Ian Hislop, Elvis Costello and Bob Geldof. I had no idea that St Bob had any interest in classical music let alone Bruckner. Can anyone enlighten me?

I must have been sitting quite close to you, Petrushka! I distinctly remember that Bruckner 5 - we were sitting on the right of the stalls circle and I spotted Hislop a few rows behind me. Didn't see the other two though...

Helene Grimaud took a seat next to me at the Anvil, Basingstoke, in the second half of a concert in which she's played a concerto in the first. She asked to borrow my programme.

Does being taken out to lunch by Marina Poplavskaya count...?

[Alison]

I've sat next to Susan Bullock at a funeral.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Bet some of you asked for autographs as well!

Why bet, Ossy when I've already admited this earlier today? (#67)

[salymap]

The only autograph I ever asked for and got was from Richard Murdoch when I was thirteen and he opened a Battle of Britain show during WW2.

It wouldn't do much for one's street cred to ask for autographs when working with musicians.