The First Night - a modest proposal

[mercia]

Symphony 101

http://www.corbisimages.com/stock-ph...ostumes/?ext=1


this is silly

[Caliban]

The second work is Brahms' "Academic Festival Overture" - how would it be if those of us who have taken degrees and held on to our gowns and hoods were to wear them, for that piece only?
...
Comments welcome.

:doh:

May I equally modestly suggest that you stand with an apple on your head during Prom 2 and I'll bring my cross-bow?

[Mr Pee]

This is exactly the sort of thing that gives Prommers a bad name. I can't think if any thing more cringe inducing than seeing a lot of twits wearing their academic gowns in the arena.

[aeolium]

It'd probably become one of those "grand" Proms traditions

There's far too much dressing-up all round these days. You can't go to a cricket match without bumping into Batman, Robin and hosts of Vikings. And as for Glyndebourne....:doh:

[PhilipT]

This is exactly the sort of thing that gives Prommers a bad name. I can't think if any thing more cringe inducing than seeing a lot of twits wearing their academic gowns in the arena.

When we dressed in robes and coronets for Iolanthe in 2000 one of the BBC Singers came down to the amphi-corridor during the interval to thank us. Since you obviously know so much more about this than they do perhaps you could write to them and point out how wrong they were?

[french frank]

Theoretically, I'm live and let live about this. I'm not sure, though, that graduate gowns and hoods would be quite appropriate. An undergraduate gown might be possible and, for students from one of the ancient Scottish universities, the toga (or toga rubra).

However, might it not reinforce prejudices about Prommers ... ? Perhaps a warning is implied in Wikipedia's details of toga-wearing at Aberdeen, in the remark: "This element of separation [i.e. town-and-gown] often caused gowned students to be jeered by the local children of the city."

[MrGongGong]

Saucer of milk for the buffoon in the stoat coat

[Mr Pee]

Since you obviously know so much more about this than they do perhaps you could write to them and point out how wrong they were?

Glad to. One of the BBC Singers. Not exactly an overwhelming vote of confidence, although I'll concede that a light operetta such as Iolanthe is a different kettle of fish than the Academic Festival Overture.

I just think that this sort of nonsense perpetuates the view that the proms are dominated by some sort of eccentric clique, and that the casual viewer on television, or a newbie to the experience, would find the whole thing off-putting and exclusive. I find the last night almost impossible to watch or listen to because of the idiotic behaviour of the Prommers. Let's not send any more of the Proms down the same route. It's a music festival, not a fancy-dress party.

[Serial_Apologist]

and for the Scythian Suite
some suggestions

Invocation of the sun............http://www.djmick.co.uk/images/2011/02/peta-2-1.jpg

Dance of the pagan monsters ........http://www.newsbiscuit.com/images/2002.jpg

Moon maidens.........http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aLSLK3FmdG...ril%2B1949.jpg

etc

The opening of Haydn's Creation
http://ssy.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/clegg.jpg

My computer wouldn't allow me access to your first link, GG - and that's saying a lot, given my... normal surfing routine.

S-A

[3rd Viennese School]

I haven't got a academic gown. Maybe I could wear my theatre gown instead.

I work for the NHS so there must be one lying around somewhere.

(Is Doctor Atomic on?)