Notes on Opening Night (Thursday, Sept 20, 2012)
From Sally Kann:
Musically-speaking, last night's concert seemed like an historic event ... but presence of the news cameras, and the way the symphony players mingled with the audience before the concert, during intermission, and afterwards (at a lovely reception) gave the occasion more the air of a party. A big family party with lots of young people, lugging their instruments with them from orchestra practice ... as reverent and enthusiastic an audience as I've seen in a long time.
These concerts are a good opportunity for chorus members to 'come down off the risers', identify yourselves by name, and shake the hands of the players you're helping support. Believe me, they know us. Symphony musicians I talked to last night all had the same thing to say: every letter and gesture of support from ASOC members has been a counter-agent to a very big hurt.
Once again, the attendance for tonight's concert looks to be huge. The auditorium holds 500 (thank you, Ellen, for getting the stats). Those with reserved seats be sure to get there in time to get a good one. Although the advance report said the concert was oversold, I had no problem getting a third ticket at 7:30. There is an overflow audio-video room prepared, but if you're reading this and are going to the concert tonight, get there around 7:30 if you can.
I'll be posting more pictures ... also, there was a professional photographer at the concert who seemed to know what he was doing. Better pictures than mine will more than likely be posted at the ATL Symphony Musicians site later on.
Cheers ... because today -- after hearing the concert last night -- I actually feel cheerful,
Sally
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| A familiar face in the audience any time the ASO plays so it's no surprise to find Laurie Cronin at last night's concert. |
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| Cecylia Arzewski, the ASO's former concertmaster shows her support by attending last night's concert |
My cheer has been somewhat modified after reading the latest news, but it makes these concerts more important. We express ourselves through our music and during the Beethoven, the players opened a can of whip-xxx.
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