...So who says classical music is dead, apart from that critic on the grisly Late Review a couple of years ago (re Birtwistle's The Minotaur - to be precise, "If you think classical music is dead, go to Covent Garden and see the corpse")? Of course, it would be even better if the Proms's wow factor could spread to the rest of the season. But let's not complain.
Many have, though, about the new online system, which allowed newcomers to book on a blank-cheque basis; and last night I met an outraged old-timer who'd failed on Day One to get a seat for the first night performance of Mahler's Eighth Symphony. And before you say he can always queue to stand in the arena, he's in a wheelchair.
Everyone else who's desperate to be there and doesn't have a seat is going to have to take along the thermos and sandwiches and join the queue for those super-cheap sold-on-the-day Prommer places. Because already the number of Proms with sold-out notices slapped over them is considerable, and growing by the day.
Many have, though, about the new online system, which allowed newcomers to book on a blank-cheque basis; and last night I met an outraged old-timer who'd failed on Day One to get a seat for the first night performance of Mahler's Eighth Symphony. And before you say he can always queue to stand in the arena, he's in a wheelchair.
Everyone else who's desperate to be there and doesn't have a seat is going to have to take along the thermos and sandwiches and join the queue for those super-cheap sold-on-the-day Prommer places. Because already the number of Proms with sold-out notices slapped over them is considerable, and growing by the day.
