Use proper etiquette at MAC shows

Braving those haughty, classical concerts can be intimidating, but what if your first time happens to be on a date? Don’t fret. Let these tips make your night impressive, and squash those hoity-toity, preconceived notions.

SEATS
Some patrons will say only expensive seats are good seats, but there are, of course, exceptions.

“It is nice to sit center orchestra because you see the whole stage and the supertitles,” said opera graduate student Christa Ruiz. “Those seats are more expensive, but if you are in the balcony, you want a center seat to see the supertitles.”

Virtually every opera requires supertitles, which are captions projected above the stage.

“Being able to see the supertitles is one of the most important things for an opera audience,” Ruiz said. “If it is a comedy and you can’t see the supertitles, you will miss a lot because most of the humor is in the lines. If you are seeing a more serious opera, a side seat where supertitles aren’t visible is not so bad.”

The center floor seats are best for seeing the performances, but the first balcony often provides a fuller sound.

When choosing center versus aisle seats, consider two things: fussy children and small bladders. Aisle seats are more appropriate for both.

Once the perfect seats have been chosen, the next question is how to remember the tickets. The answer? Will call.

Have the box office teller leave your tickets at will call, and make sure to get the teller’s name and keep the receipt for the ticket transaction in your wallet.

Also, students must remember to bring their University identification. Without this, the student-discounted ticket means nothing.

ATTIRE
Attire has often caused conflicting opinions when it comes to classical performances. When figuring out what to wear, consider the type of performance.

Ballet
“I am forward-thinking in the aspect of attire,” said Michael Vernon, Jacobs School of Music Ballet Department chair. “How people dress for the ballet depends on their personal situations. Many students don’t have a lot of money, so they wear what they have, but there’s nothing wrong with that. It is much more important that students are going to a live performance and appreciating the arts.”

Opera
“Personally, I think if you are on a date to the opera, you should definitely dress up,” Ruiz said. “It just adds to the whole experience.”

Symphony
“I remember during World War II as a youngster during the most bitter times, the Berlin Symphony still played,” said Thomas Baldner, conducting professor of music. “No matter how we felt or what we had, we put on our coats and pants to go to the concerts. You do not have to wear a fancy suit: A nice jacket and pants is fine. Nowadays, there is no reason a person cannot dress respectably.”

To sum things up, dress well, but it is not necessary to rent a tuxedo or buy a pricey evening gown. Just remember this rule: Do not wear jeans, and impress with nice shoes.

PREPARATION
You never know how much your date knows. Plan to arrive at the opera or ballet at 7 p.m. for Opera Insights to hear more about the show. Opera Insights is located on the mezzanine level of the Musical Arts Center.

If dinner plans conflict, do a few minutes worth of research. Look online for the composer, plot, choreographer and a bit about the history of the show.

“If you are going to impress a date, it is good to know something about the show to tell him or her,” Ruiz said. “Knowing a bit about the opera’s background will be interesting, and it is fun to see the societal context of the time.”

If all this slips the mind, do not forget to read the performance program for last-minute research.

“People must do this before the show, though,” Vernon said. “A big no-no is reading during the show. Some people will use their cell phones for light in the middle of it to read the program, and that is just distracting and rude.”

The cell phone problem is a common pet peeve in the classical world, which leads to the necessity of proper concert etiquette.

Etiquette
One of the most important behaviors to master when going to a classical event is how to applaud. Clapping your hands together does not seem so difficult, but knowing the appropriate time to clap can be complicated. To learn the complexity of applause rules, check out “How to applaud like a pro.”

For a simpler alternative, follow Baldner’s advice:

“Look around and see what others are doing,” he said. “Keep your traps shut and listen. Just remember that you have come to listen.”

Cell phones, again, can cause much more embarrassment than any text message is worth.

“Today, our phones have vibrate and mute,” Vernon said. “Even doctors can keep their phones on vibrate in case they get a call.”

If this comes up, wait for an appropriate time in the performance to excuse yourself from the auditorium. Better yet, turning cell phones off completely will ensure that you are not the one scoffed at when someone’s favorite ring tone goes off during a funeral dirge.

Another important tip is to arrive early. The perfect date should not include waiting through the first act in the lobby until an usher deems you worthy of entering.

A despised habit among music patrons is gum chewing and consuming food and drink. Not only are these distracting, but they are also against MAC rules.

Some true horror stories have resulted from uncouth audience members.

“A long time ago, I worked as ballet master and resident choreographer for the Eglevsky Ballet,” Vernon said. “We were putting on ‘The Nutcracker’ in a converted movie house in Long Island. The audience sat very close, and the people were throwing their sweet wrappers onto the stage.”

To avoid a possible coughing fit and the glares of crinkle-hating audience members, bring a handful of already-unwrapped cough drops.

Appreciation
After the opera, ballet or symphony concert has ended, conductors, directors and performers love to hear mainly one thing.

“Applause,” Vernon said. “I also enjoy when people come up to me or other people involved in the production to share their opinions of the show.”

Vernon said to also remember what impressed you. It is normal for audience members to express their feelings about the show to the people involved in the production.

“Some people think we only perform for connoisseurs, but we also put on these productions for the general public,” Vernon said. “You don’t have to be particularly knowledgeable about it. If you liked it, good. If you didn’t, it is politically correct to say so.”