Campbell Vertesi

Interesting point brought up recently on Greg Sandow's blog: how important is silent listening in Western classical music?  Some people were offended by his idea that opera companies might twitter ("tweet") interesting tidbits out to audiences during a performance, for fear of distraction.

Mr. Sandow's point is that a little distraction can help people focus, and that 90% of the repertory was written for audiences that didn't sit in rapt attention anyway.   Fair enough.  

For me, the issue is simpler.  Never mind anything else - sitting in silence trying to focus is BORING.  It's a BORING way to listen.  I much prefer when an audience is really involved in the music, shouting bravos at great high notes, applauding in the middle of scenes and the like.  Personally, even when I listen to great opera on recording I end up dancing around, waving my arms like a madman, or yelling at long-retired singers. How can anyone listen to the Faust waltz and NOT get up to dance?  How can you hear Di Quella Pira without wanting to shout "all'armi!"   I think that's part of what makes Opera exciting, is the football-game atmosphere of watching singers perform Great music, achieving something that is truly pushing human capability to the limits.

Maybe you think I'm crazy.  What kind of a performance would it be if audiences allowed themselves to get SO excited by the music that they would interrupt movements?  It would be a THRILLING performance, that's what it would be.  My favorite example is from the Youtube:

I'm sure some people would prefer to sit in stony silence, but personally I prefer a crowd that is awed or hushed into silence by drama and music.  I support efforts like tweeting updates during shows, because I think it makes people's brains act more "alive"  during "live" theatre.