What's it like going to a classical music concert ?

[FrauleinEngelhart]

I'm considering going to one, probably alone as DP isn't that enthusiastic (although regularly listens to Classic FM !). Is there any kind of etiquette I should know about ?
Are you expected to stare soulfully into the middle distance and hand in your mobile phone at the entrance ? Do people actually go on their own and would I look out of place ?

Yes, it's brilliant.

You don't clap in the intervals between movements, only at the end.

Unless you're American, in which case people will look disapprovingly at you.

Nothing wrong with those! I took dd when she was small and it totally sparked a love of classical music for her. She now plays two instruments and sings in a choir, and unlike most of her friends her age her Spotify playlists are all classical.

We've just booked tickets for me, DH and DC2 to go see RSNO performing the music of The Snowman which will be narrated by Aled Jones and we can't wait. DC is 14 now but they love going to the orchestra with us, and actually chose going to see RSNO perform Dvorak's New World Symphony for their 11th birthday. We were meant to go to The Snowman show last year but they had to cancel due to Covid so we have everything crossed for this year.

My brother studied at the RNCM so I had the joy of going to many, many of their performances across lots of different genres. I absolutely loved going to watch them play!

I love going alone. I actually prefer it then I don't worry about the other person being bored, disliking it etc. Enjoy. It's wonderful.

I just played in one last night!
Agreed anything goes in terms of outfit etc. main thing is to be quiet just like you would in a show.

Also as has been mentioned, you will have one piece like a symphony, sonata or concerto with 3 or 4 movements commonly called ‘allegro’ ‘adagio’ etc. there’s usually a break between them although sometimes 2 can run into each other. They can end with a grand flourish and you might feel like you want to clap but don’t until the end of the last movement.

Honestly, the only important piece of etiquette is be considerate towards other people.

It’s best to turn your phone off. That way you won’t be the unspeakably selfish person scrolling through their ‘silent’ phone during the performance. The light is so, so distracting.

Go to the loo before the performance starts, or during the interval. And get to your seat in good time, not at the last minute. If you think there’ll be some reason why you may need to leave the auditorium during the performance get a ticket at the end of a row, not right in the middle.

Absolutely no one cares whether you go alone or with everyone you know. (As long as you’re not chatting or fidgeting while music is being played.) Relax and have a great time!

Just go, it's no different to any other concert except singing/humming along is frowned upon!!! Don't turn up late either. If you are under 60, you might be the youngest in the room

I go to lots and yes I'm usually second youngest (my dd being the youngest!)

@corlan

Know what you mean, went to one once, never again, a lady singing along out of tube

I take my sons' grandad who has Parkinson's with dementia and is a wheelchair user.
It is one of only a few activities we can share, and I love it.
Just follow what the audience do.
I have my phone on silent but on view in case my son needs to contact me.
As I wheel him there from the care home I usually arrive (at this time of year) in high viz, head torch and a bit of sweat!
I've had to leave mid concert twice; once when exFIL started snoring (medication makes him doze off) and another when he was agitated and couldn't articulate what the problem was.
I waited for a pause and left - hopefully people were understanding.