The Portland daily press., 1900-09-25
BEHAVIOR AT CONCERTS.
To the Editor Of the Press.

10 me -Edlt0r OF the Press
The approach of the week for the
Maine Music Festival prompts me to
ask your opinion or that of your readers
on the matter of whispering and loud
talking at concerts. We anticipate the
same feast OF good music that Mr.. Chap
man has given as in the past. 10 the
writer and doubtless to all there will
come the added pleasure of noting the
elevating influence of these grand con-
certs upon the audiences. 1t is a pleasure
to see the chorus and orchestra under
5heir magnetic leading doing their best
and at the same time to see the the au-
dienoe drinking in to their fill and re-
sonding to the glorious notes they hear.
1 am impressed with the fact that
things have changed somewhat for the
better since 1 was boy but wish the
change had been greater. Almost exactly
30 years ago I was permitted to attend a
very proper concert in the Old City Hall
which was most respectable place at
that time, and l entered it as reverent-
~ as if going to church. TO my great
surprise many of the people whispered
and even talked aloud while the concert
was in progress. When / got home
asked my mother about the proprlety Of
it. She remarked that the people who
whispered didn't know any better. 10
this / replied that among the whisperers
were Mr.. Aye and Mrs. Bee, we'll known
pillars of the High street and First
Parish churches. My wise mother very
shreWdly remarked again that some
a
know what they were doing but were as
needless and selfish as little boys, After
% years OF annoyance from the Whisperers
am not able to give better eXplana-
tion OF the conduct OF Mr.. Aye and Mrs
Bee who are always present at our best
concerts with their children, grandchil-
dren, sisters, cousins and aunts.
Several times / have rebuked these
offenders but have always noticed that
l appeared to them as a robber OF their
liberty. have also asked these people
for their Ideas OF proprie5y. They tell
me that they go to concerts TO have a good
time and that Whispering is a necessary
part Of that good time. One young lady
who aspires to walk in higher circles
than as yet she is able to tread, frankly
says If you sit still you are voted as
stupid. am going to whisper and be
jolly because Misses Blank and Dash al
ways do Without doubt she will until
Dash. have noticed with pleasure the
response OF the ladies to Prof Chapman S
request to remove their big hats. 1 con-
| fess, old fellow that l am, that 1t suits
me to L. 1t helps us to see the audi
ence and stage and more than all a
wOman's head Is a thousand times lovelieT
| than any hat ever made, and but this
is depression. 1t is good also to note
that the ushers and programme boys
have been taught to be invisible and
quiet during the music. VIII the Gay
ever come when whisperers can "hold I'M
at grand concerts such as we are about
to have, or must our best musical treats
still have this beer garden featureY Why
is 1t, Mr.. Editor, that every one who lis
tens to such soul filling strains cannot
| feel the glow which naturally comes and
be glad in knowing that every other
heart in the vast audience IS thrilling
with the same joy. What is it that in
duces this Ayes and the Bees to whisper
buzz and giggle in the ears of their neigh
bors who are trying TO enjoy these grea
feasts?
Remembering that Old City Hall con
cert of 80 years ago / feel hopeful that II
effort Is made the coming generation vii
put an end 20 this lingering Indecorum
In 90 years we have abolished some OF
ger yell, or howl, nor wear heavy boot
wherewith to stamp on the floor, nor d'
/ we keep time, hum or whistle in com
pany with the performer. These prac
tices have all been turned over to patron
o 1 dime theatres and the like; while tn
/ Y onng couple who used to come in lat
t 20 hunt up and down the aisle for sea
have been severely squelched by the rule o
shutting the doors between pieces.
How Is the indecency OF whispering to
be stopped2
JOHN SEMI SENEX.