Deal Diva Laura wrote:
> Now, for my question. This Halloween concert that I had earlier asked for > rep suggestion on has become quite the event it seems. How long, as an > audience member, would be considered too long? So far it looks like I've > got about 80 minutes worth of music, plus a 15 minute intermission. And > I've been asked by a couple of singers if they can add a couple of other > short pieces as well that really would be quite entertaining.
I think 80 minutes plus a 15 minute intermission is too long for this type of concert.
One teacher of mine, whose judgment is excellent in these matters, does not like any concert he's involved with to exceed one hour and 15 minutes, including a 10-minute intermission. The reason for his "rule" is that it's better to have the audience wanting more (and having and encore or two prepared if they go nuts), than have them think it's too long. Also, it's being considerate of the audience's time to keep it short.
I think if we're not talking superstar performers whom people have paid a lot of money to hear and don't want to let off the stage, an hour and 15 minutes is a good rule of thumb. So by that criteria, 80 minutes plus 15 intermission is 20 minutes too long. If you can't shorten the concert at this point, at least don't allow it to get ANY longer. In my opinion.
Peggy
-- Margaret Harrison, Alexandria, Virginia, USA "Music for a While Shall All Your Cares Beguile" mailto:peggyh@i...
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