This is all completely untrue, and it really makes me see red because it reinforces some harmful stereotypes held by people who don’t know any better. Symphony (and opera) tickets come at a wide range of prices, depeneding on where you sit. In addition, there are often rush tickets available for students and sometimes others, or standing room tickets, that are very cheap. In almost all cases it is possible to hear a classical concert for a lot less money than a rock concert, never mind a broadway musical. Of course, it would’ve been possible for Claire to only find $88 tickets at the box office, if all the cheaper ones had been sold out. But that’s her own fault for waiting until the day of the concert to buy a ticket. As for people being “well dressed”? Yes, that’s how people choose to dress at a classical concert; it doesn’t mean they have more money.
Why does this make me so mad? Symphony orchestras can’t raise enough money from tickets sales to cover their expenses, there are orchestras that are closing down because of this, others live only by the kindness of wealthy donors. They keep ticket prices (or at least a high proportion of them) relatively LOW so as to enable almost ANYONE to attend. And yet there’s this really stupid stereotype in certain circles that classical music is just for rich people. Not for “us” but for “them”. why the authors should reinforce this is beyond me.
bald over 14 years ago
stop drinking all that designer coffee, after a few weeks you’ll be able to afford to go to the symphony
anat622 over 14 years ago
This is all completely untrue, and it really makes me see red because it reinforces some harmful stereotypes held by people who don’t know any better. Symphony (and opera) tickets come at a wide range of prices, depeneding on where you sit. In addition, there are often rush tickets available for students and sometimes others, or standing room tickets, that are very cheap. In almost all cases it is possible to hear a classical concert for a lot less money than a rock concert, never mind a broadway musical. Of course, it would’ve been possible for Claire to only find $88 tickets at the box office, if all the cheaper ones had been sold out. But that’s her own fault for waiting until the day of the concert to buy a ticket. As for people being “well dressed”? Yes, that’s how people choose to dress at a classical concert; it doesn’t mean they have more money.
Why does this make me so mad? Symphony orchestras can’t raise enough money from tickets sales to cover their expenses, there are orchestras that are closing down because of this, others live only by the kindness of wealthy donors. They keep ticket prices (or at least a high proportion of them) relatively LOW so as to enable almost ANYONE to attend. And yet there’s this really stupid stereotype in certain circles that classical music is just for rich people. Not for “us” but for “them”. why the authors should reinforce this is beyond me.
hildigunnurr Premium Member over 14 years ago
anat622: amen!
kfaatz925 over 14 years ago
anat622: right on!