Attending a Concert
If you’re new to a Musica Viva performance, you might be feeling a little nervous by the whole idea of concert etiquette. Here are some tips to help you feel like you’re a regular.
Arrival Time
We encourage you to arrive at least 20 minutes before the concert is scheduled to begin. This will give you plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere of the concert hall, meet up with friends, find your seat and read your complimentary Concert Guide before the concert starts.
Any latecomers will be asked to wait in the foyer until the interval or a suitable break in the given performance.
Applause
There is an etiquette to applause at chamber music concerts which is quite easy to follow, once you know the rules.
In general, a piece of music has several sections called movements, like chapters of a book. The musicians will pause between each movement of a piece of music. It is accepted practice not to applaud between the movements, but to wait until the end of each piece of music.
To help understand what's going on, refer to your complimentary Concert Guide to see how many movements there are in each piece of music. Or simply follow the cues from other audience members.
Parking
For information on where to park please visit the Venues page.
Electronic Devices
The use of cameras and recording devices is not permitted at any time during a performance. Please also remember to switch off all mobile phones, pagers, beeping watches, and any other potentially disruptive electronic devices before the performance begins.
Dress Code
Concert goers to Musica Viva concerts are vast and varied and therefore so is their attire. While some attendees are smart, but casual, other treats this as a reason to dress up in their finest. A concert is a special event, so we request that you dress appropriately for the occasion and that your grooming considers others.
Pre-Concert Dining
Sydney
Bar Cupola
Bar Cupola, Angel Place is open for delicious pre-concert dining. Voted Best Casual Restaurant and Best Café in SMH Sydney Magazine’s Readers’ Poll. You can access Bar Cupola from Angel Place Office Tower at 123 Pitt Street. To book a table please call (02) 9221 3377 or email barcupola@ozemail.com.au. Download the dinner menu here.
Bistro Fax | Fine Music, Fine Food, Fine Price
Enjoy a tantalising two-course pre-concert dinner with a glass of wine at the Radisson Plaza Hotel Sydney’s award winning Bistro Fax, together with an A Reserve ticket to any concert from Musica Viva’s 2009 Concert Series for just $100 per person. For bookings please call 1300 797 118 or click here.
Adelaide
The Brasserie
Join chef Simon Bryant from ABC TV’s The Cook and the Chef for dinner before each concert. In a joint venture with the best providores, farmers, growers and suppliers of the regions, The Brasserie embraces Seriously South Australian™ cuisine.
Hilton Adelaide, Victoria Square
www.thebrasserie.com.au
Melbourne
Script
140 Southbank Boulevard, Southbank
03 8688 0880. Its web-site is
www.scriptbar.com.au
