Klarinet Archive - Posting 000271.txt from 1995/12

From: Neil Leupold <nleupold@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: "New York" exit
Date: Mon, 11 Dec 1995 02:43:53 -0500

...at the root of what "problem"? Do I really need to tell you how well
the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra played? I really am not too concerned
if it takes the orchestra members an extra 30 minutes to get out of the Lincoln
Center parking garage. I paid $100 for my ticket...not to mention the
extra $7.00 I paid for my parking space in that same garage. I had to
suffer through the same melee' of cars that they would have - had they
stuck around. If, after paying my share of the orchestra's $90K/each
salary (or is it more?), I'm willing to stay behind and enthusiastically
applaud the fine job they did, then the very least they could do is be
there to receive it. The performances were absolutely magnificent, and I
attended them as much to draw inspiration from the orchestra as I did to
hear Jessye Norman display her unique vocal virtuosity. The statement
being made by bolting from the stage was tantamount to, "Who cares about
the audience? I've already deposited my paycheck. I'm outta here..."
I'm not surprised at that kind of dismissive attitude from the general
population of Manhattan, but how sad when the highest paid orchestra in
the nation (and certainly one of the most prestigious) fails to uphold a
standard of protocol and respect worthy of what we pay them.

I suppose David's right, though. Life goes on, and I'll still pay my
hard-earned money to see the Met whenever I'm in town - if only just to
hear Ricardo do his thing.

Neil.

On Sun, 10 Dec 1995 niethamer@-----.BITNET wrote:

> I'll only add to Neil and Bob's posts that Neil *never once* made any
> mention of how the orchestra played - just notice of the singers and
> conductor. This is at the root of the problem, as Bob Yoon points out.
>
> BTW, those ovations (before they ever *get* to the conductor and his
> acknowledgement of the orchestra) can go on for quite a while if the
> claques are going strong that night. And I'd give my right arm (or maybe
> just the chance at an ovation) to get out of the Lincoln Center garage
> before the entire audience turns it to gridlock/pollution city.
>
> None of this excuses behavior that is, to be polite, ungracious to the
> audience we're constantly trying to entice to come again, but in NYC,
> that's the way it is, and life goes on.
> David
>