I went to a concert a month ago at the Athenaeum. Admittedly, I don’t go as often as I once did, when I didn’t miss anything at the theatre, opera, or Athenaeum. But I had still been to a violin and piano concert in August. Both concerts were superb. But I dwell now on the way people dress at such events.
In August there were many men in shorts, in sandals, women in flowery, flowing dresses, only good for the beach.
In October, people were more covered up, but still dressed more for the street.
The French have a verb, ‘s’endimancher’: to dress more neatly, in other than everyday clothes. Grandparents had Sunday clothes, more precious, more special clothes. Somehow, it was as if they were getting ready for a feast. Sundays were this day of celebration and they honored it with their clothes.
Of course, some will say that these customs are old-fashioned, that it is no longer 1900 autumn.
But I remember what one actress told me: the stage must be honored! The stage and those who perform there.
We can listen to a concert in shorts, if we feel like it, but at home.
I believe that preparation for the concert is important, as is what we do afterwards. Of course, what happens on stage is essential. But the actors, the pianists, the sopranos, all those who play various roles for us, deserve to be honoured, and we should prepare ourselves internally and externally for this meeting.
The stage, the performance, has a certain magic worth cultivating. Thus, existence is more precious, more uplifting, more rewarding.
