Times change...

…and we have to change with them. Otherwise we’d stand still!

Why am I saying this?

Perhaps you do not know but „Once upon a time" audiences in Vienna were not only much more knowledgeable but also much more cultivated, and refined!

While a more „emotional" public (let's put it this way) in Milano was hissing and throwing vegetables on the stage (aiming at the artists, of course) - just think of „the Callas incident at La Scala in which she picked some radishes from the floor, held them affectionately in her arms and thanked the public – Viennese audiences were more „cold" when they didn't like a certain performance. The expression „like an Iceberg" would be much more appropriate to describe them: they did not applaud – but they didn't shout „Booh" at the Artistes. They just stood up, showing no reaction, no emotions whatsoever and left. That was not only worse than in Milano but much more effective. I witnessed a situation like this after Béjart’s “Wien, Wiem, nur Du allein”!

Times change and now, the „Booh-shouting" seems to become more and more “fashionable”. Not only after Opera performances but also after the Ballet ones at the Vienna State Opera. I am not making this up: You can even read about this on Newspapers and on the internet.

Like the appreciation and understanding of quality and level, while times change, customs also change... Such a shame to have to witness this situation in a Capital in the Center of Europe... I wonder when the cabbages and tomatoes will become also a part of our culture… although, to be extremely honest, I would understand them. Sad.