How to Behave at a Classical Music Concert

There is a particular hush that settles over a concert hall just before the conductor raises the baton. Two thousand people stop rustling at once, and for the next two hours the only thing that matters is the music. Being part of that silence is one of the great pleasures of cultural life.

Newcomers sometimes stay away because they fear breaking an unwritten rule. In truth the customs of the concert hall are few and sensible, and almost all of them exist so that everyone, players included, can hear properly. Learn them once and you will feel at home in any auditorium.

Arrive in Good Time

Aim to be in your seat at least ten minutes before the advertised start. That leaves time to collect tickets, visit the cloakroom, find the right door and settle without a scramble. Many halls ring a bell or make an announcement shortly before the performance begins.

If you are delayed, do not try to slip in once the music has started. Ushers will usually hold latecomers at the door until a suitable pause, often the gap between pieces, and sometimes they will seat you at the back until the interval. Accept their direction with good grace; they are protecting the performance.

Taking Your Seat

When you must pass others already seated, face them rather than turning your back, and offer a quiet thank you. Coats and large bags belong in the cloakroom, not draped over the next seat or blocking the aisle.

What to Wear

Very few concerts today have a formal dress code. Smart casual is perfectly acceptable at most evening performances, and you will see everything from jeans to cocktail dresses in the same row. Gala evenings and some festival openings are the exception, and the invitation or venue website will say so.

Whatever you choose, think of your neighbours. Avoid jangling bracelets, rustling fabrics and strong scent, all of which travel further in a quiet hall than you might expect. Layers are wise, since auditoriums can be warm in the stalls and cool in the balcony.

Phones, Sweets and Programmes

Switch your phone off completely, not merely to silent. A vibrating handset in a soft passage is clearly audible, and a glowing screen distracts everyone behind you. Photography and recording during the performance are almost always forbidden.

If you are prone to coughing, bring a lozenge and unwrap it before the music begins. Read the programme notes before the first piece or during the interval, and turn pages quietly. Whispered commentary, however enthusiastic, should wait for the bar.

When to Applaud

This is the question that worries people most. In general, audiences applaud when the conductor and soloist walk on, and again at the end of each complete work. A symphony or concerto is usually made up of several movements, and the convention in most halls is to hold applause until the final movement has finished.

The surest guide is the conductor. When the last note sounds, many conductors keep their hands raised for a moment while the music settles. Wait until the arms come down and the conductor turns or relaxes before you clap. If you are unsure, simply follow the people around you.

Spontaneous Applause

Not every venue is strict. Some performers welcome applause after a dazzling movement, and in opera and ballet it is normal to applaud after a famous aria or solo. If a ripple of clapping breaks out between movements, there is no need to glare. A warm reaction is a compliment, and musicians know it.

The Interval and Leaving

The interval is your chance to stretch, visit the bar and discuss the first half. Many venues allow you to order interval drinks in advance, which saves queuing. Return to your seat when the bell rings so that the second half can start on time.

At the end, stay for the bows. Leaving during the final chord or the first round of applause is considered poor form, and the players, soloist and conductor have earned the moment. If you must catch a train, wait for a natural break and go quietly.

The Final Note

Good concert manners come down to one simple principle: everyone in the room has come to listen. Arrive in time, keep still and quiet, applaud at the right moment and thank the musicians with your attention. Do that, and the concert hall will soon feel like one of the most welcoming rooms you know.