Classical concerts
 

We're going in sept-oct for 6 and a half weeks to europe. <BR> <BR>Cities covered are <BR> <BR>paris-amsterdam-cologne-berlin-prague-vienna-salzburg-munich-lucerne-interlaken-montreaux-venice-florence-siena-naples-rome <BR> <BR>I'm very much interested in catching a classical music concert or a ballet - not that keen on opera. Can anyone recommend any? <BR> <BR>What sort of dress code would it require? We're backpacking so we have to keep it light. <BR> <BR>Thank you.

While in Vienna a couple of years ago, students dressed in period clothing were selling tickets to the Mozart concerts . The sellers were near the major tourist attractions. They assured me that it was casual & slacks would be fine. I wore a nice knit slacks set. ( I would have preferred wearing a skirt.) No one was "formally" dressed....just nice casual attire. <BR>

If you are seriously knowledgeable about classical music, I would suggest that the best way to find interesting music is to check out posters at churches in the cities you will be in. If you avoid the more touristy places you will probably hear more interesting music. These concerts will also be less expensive, and you will be part of a crowd of locals as well as tourists. <BR> <BR>If, however, you don't normally go to a lot of concerts, the more tourist-geared concerts will probably be fine. These would be the concerts with "Mozart-dress" or, in Italy, Vivaldi's Four Seasons. (I think it is actually possible to find this piece being played at every city you go to!) <BR> <BR>Enjoy the music, and don't worry too much about your clothing. I always pack a pair of black pants and a silk shirt for concerts, you can go anywhere in that.

Amanda, <BR>I know that Montreux holds a classical music festival in late August - 15 Sep, but I don't think your tour will have you there early enough to catch it. If you want more information, though, check out Montreux-festival.com Good Luck! <BR> <BR>Suzann

I agree with the person who suggested looking for local concerts in churches, if you really want to hear good music and are on a budget. Plus, you wouldn't have to worry about dress as much. Local small chamber music concerts (free or very cheap) should be listed in local newspapers and entertainment guides. I know classical music well, as I play myself (in fact, I'm going to Paris to study at the Schola Cantorum this summer--we are having some cheap evening concerts there in early July with some famous French pianists), and was not interested in the Mozart tourist concerts in Vienna and Salzburg because they weren't very interesting to me (ie, just excerpts of famous overplayed works, not even the complete piece). But, if you aren't a classical music buff, that kind of thing might be enjoyable. The Concertgebouw hall in Amsterdam is one of the best in the world acoustically, and the Paris Opera Ballet is one of the best ballet companies. I'd go to ballet in Paris at the old Opera Garnier because that is an experience just for the building. You can get some cheap-seat tickets at a reasonable price, plus they have lower prices for some student works, rather than the major ballets. You can usually get a ticket at the box office without too much trouble. You don't need to dress up, but you should look decent (ie, simple skirt and blouse would do, or nice pants)--but, I don't think they'd kick you out regardless. Going to smaller concerts in churches, people wear anything, jeans, etc. The quality of music is often very good, also.

Hi Amanda - Ditto to the church venue. There is usually always something good and interesting going on in a church somewhere. There are web sites for most of the cities which will include events taking place during your time of visit. I have best luck with AskJeeves. <BR>Happy travels!