| One thing we need to remember is that the average person who attends many of these events does see them as outstanding. They don't see or hear the little (or big) mistakes that a music, dance, theater or other performance major might see. DS, DD and I have attended concerts where there were standing ovations...and we couldn't quite understand it...because WE heard the little blips in the performance (largely because WE were very familiar with the repertoire, or in the case of DS and DD...they had played it themselves). The average person attending a concert (I'll use that as an example) hasn't PLAYED the Mahler 1 and it certainly is spectacular and especially so for someone who has never heard it before (how would they KNOW it wasn't a flawless production?). I agree that a standing O should be reserved for spectacular performances, but I think in this day, we see it as the audience's APPRECIATION for their enjoyment of the show. Personally, I think THAT has value too. |