have you been to see live theatre/opera/concert?

[buggeroo]

we are professional (classical) musicians, so think nothing of going to see an Opera, classical concert, live theatre etc.
However, I've recently had 2 conversations with a family member and a head teacher that they have never been to a live (classical type) concert or theatre show/play.

So it's making me wonder - how many people have been to..
a) an opera?
b) a live theatre production?
c) classical concert?

I was suprised that these two people hadn't been to any of these, but should I be? I don't know?
Thank you.

I think there is still a widely held view that these things are elitist and expensive even though they are for the most part cheaper than pop concerts and theme parks. Eg in London ENO (RIP) always had loads of discounted seats. Thing is you have to really get people into it when they're young - most 30 year olds who have never been to an opera don't suddenly start going.

@TheBoysAndTheBallet done all 3 of those as well but only a day music festival not a staying in a tent one

Never been to a classical music concert but never say never.

Have been to the opera twice (Carmen and Madame Butterfly), appreciate those are on the lightweight end of the opera spectrum but DH and I enjoyed both.

Theatre all the time - loads of musicals (seeing Hairspray on Wednesday) but also in the past year or so seen An Inspector Calls and the Mousetrap. Have done the ballet once, took DD to see the Nutcracker about 6 years ago and loved that too.

Tickets for all of these things are far cheaper than football or concert tickets for the likes of Taylor Swift, Coldplay or Oasis.

I’ve been to one opera, countless theatre shows (plays, ballets and musicals) but I’ve never been to a classical concert.

a) an opera?
Carmen, lots of g&s.

b) a live theatre production?
Yes, lots

c) classical concert?
Not so much. Does the snowman and home alone count? Probably not
.
We've been to lots of jazz and folk.
My kids have probably seen Shakespeare well over a dozen times.
We see lots of live music of all kinds, lots of music festivals too.

I've been to live theatre, opera, live sports, music festivals and a theme park multiple times. I haven't, that I recall, been to a classical music concert, but that's only because the ones that I wanted to go to clashed with work - which sounds like a lame excuse, but it wasn't really a thing where I used to live, and my job used to have very unsocial hours. Hopefully I'll get to one or more this year.

Theatre, ballet and classical concerts fairly often - at least once a month. I’ve never been to the opera but have been discussing going soon with a friend. I do regularly go to choral concerts though.

a) an opera- never
b) a live theatre production- yes several, I bring my dc to the theatre quite often. We went to see Mary poppins last month
c) classical concert - yes 1 and I’m going to another in London in March.

my dc sang in an event last night with a youth orchestra, it was amazing 🥰

I was about that age when a friend started working as an ASM at the ROH, and used to give me tickets or get me into dress rehearsals. I went several times, not that engaged, and then something suddenly opened in my head — I remember the exact sensation because it was so exciting, and opera has been a huge pleasure in my life ever since. For the rest of the time I lived in London, I saw every ROH production in the cheap day seats you queued at dawn for, once my friend moved on, and often ENO too.

I’m still not sure what suddenly ‘worked’, but it was a fabulous discovery.

All 3. I can only watch opera 'live' because I find recorded opera really difficult to engage with. I've seen a lot of theatre and some classical concerts. I'm always thrilled by quite how enjoyable the latter are - I find I can absolutely lose myself in the music. It's really therapeutic.

All 3, though mostly ballet.

Only live theatre but I probably will have been to about 10-12 shows in the last 6 months.

I take both my DD - they have probably been to about 6 each over the last year

I would take them to some more but it's not as easy to get the cheap tickets for 3 of us and oldest works at weekends now as well and doesn't finish in time to even get to an evening show.

All 3 many times including at Glyndebourne and in a box at The Royal Albert Hall courtesy of my late Godfather. I love live theatre both professional and amateur and ditto classical music concerts.

B and C quite a lot. I've taken DS11 most times so he's fairly used to them too.

Not interested in Opera, live theatre on occasion. No to classical stuff , unless Pete Tony and orchestra counts

I'm obviously a philistine who prefers low rent gigs, comedy things and music festivals

All three but mainly opera.

When I tell friends and colleagues I'm going to the opera the usual response is to think it is posh/expensive/hard to understand/boring.

They are surprised to find I mainly wear jeans when I go, it costs far less than they spend on gigs or football, you get told the plot in advance + it's in English on surtitles, plus I have seen operas where the plot is anything and everything and very applicable to modern life - school shootings, male violence against women, co-ercive control. And a lot of fun parties and pretty costumes.

All three.

I love live ballet and classical music. I like a good play. My friends organise trips to musicals. I join them but much prefer drama .

Yup, this.

Yes, I go regularly to all three.

I tend to go to the theatre and the opera with friends or my OH, but I quite often go to see orchestral performances by myself, because I have slightly 'out there' tastes (I particularly like modern and experimental composers) and I don't really know anybody who shares them.

It's not unusual to go to the symphony by yourself, though (maybe outwith opening night / gala performances), so I've never found it a problem.

All three many times.

My OH also loves the ballet - I'm a bit more agnostic, but it makes him happy, so I go!

a. Opera, yes, but not for about 30 years, I gave it a fair try but I really dislike opera.
b. Plays, yes, but not that interested really
c. Concerts, loads, I'd go more often if I'd live closer to a larger city but dp and I are happy to travel to Edinburgh/Glasgow (which requires overnight stays) for an interesting concert. Luckily we get some good chamber music concerts here in rural West coast Scotland thanks to the support of some Scottish chamber music funds, I've seen the Brodsky Quartet three times now in the tiny venue where these concerts are happening. I'm lucky that both dp and dd are avid concert goers and come along when possible but I've been to many on my own as well.

Hmm.

A - never
B - yes - a few plays but I can't stand musicals.
C - a few times to a classical concert as a teen with my older brother although I have also been to a few ballet performances with a live orchestra

I've been to one pop gig and totally hated it. I've never been to a music festival either as I don't fancy it. I strongly dislike crowds of noisy people and just want to run away.

DS is very into his music and I'm dreading if he takes it up professionally as I really don't want to have to go and see him perform. (Rock/metal guitar) I'll probably need hypnosis to get me through it. 🤪

a) an opera? yes, once
b) a live theatre production? yes, many, many times
c) classical concert? yes, not recently

Also been to countless folk club gigs, comedy shows, music festivals.

Best recently was a revival of Jesus Christ Superstar - absolutely amazing performance. After many years of visiting theatres for concerts, plays etc - first time ever been part of a full theatre standing ovation.

All three, although these days it's only theatre performances, due to the kids being young. I really hope I will get to take them to an opera and concert at some point....