Australian Members

[Journeyman]



The conductor visiting, Larry Rachleff from USA (the Larry is a bit of a giveaway as to which country isn't it - whats Larry short for?) wore a Nehru suit. Seemed to be made of Tencel the way it shimmered and wafted. Could have been good except it was too long - well maybe Nehru suits jackets can be long and his trousers were too wide,sloppy and pooled up with about 5 breaks at the rear.

He sounds like a bit of a Leisure Suit Larry (that's a blast from the past).

Larry is usually short for Lawrence (cf Lawrence "Larry" Summers, former US Treasury Secretary and former President of Harvard University).

 

[fxh]

yeah - I should have remembered Larry Olivier. etc

 

[fxh]

ha I used to love Leisure Suit Larry - I saw somewhere it had been revived - any code poets here remember by who ? I think it was a free or FOSS?

 

[Geoffrey Firmin]



Went out last night to the Melbourne Town Hall - good venue - middle of conservative business dress - to see the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music Symphony Orchestra - Melbourne Uni students - do Barbers Adagio for Strings and Shostakovitch No 5.

Anyway - aside from the orchestra in dinner suits - I didn't see anyone in a tie and I was possibly one of the most overdressed audience members in a sea of dad's jeans and parkas and fleece jackets.

Its a funny old world isn't it.

The conductor visiting, Larry Rachleff from USA (the Larry is a bit of a giveaway as to which country isn't it - whats Larry short for?) wore a Nehru suit. Seemed to be made of Tencel the way it shimmered and wafted. Could have been good except it was too long - well maybe Nehru suits jackets can be long and his trousers were too wide,sloppy and pooled up with about 5 breaks at the rear.

I think I'd approve of a good Nehru suit on a conductor - seems about right sometimes.

Yes I have noticed that no one gets dressed for orchestral events for some years now. I used to go to a lot of SSO performances back in the 80's and 90's I would wear a suit, on all occasions. But I guess your observation just affirms the general adoption of casual dress for all occasions is the new Norm.

When I was a Theatre Manager in WW and it was a major event, Bell Shakespeare for example, people would turn out in their best. Suits from the townies, tweed from the land. Mind you I have noticed that here in Canberra at both the theatre and musical events the best dress people are all over 60.

As for a Nehru jacket on a conductor no thanks. And if you can the Adams conducts Adams MSO program in Melbourne is worth going too, far superior to what he is conducting with the SSO in Sydney.

 

[TheWraith]

I still see a few suits and sport coats at the odd SSO concert I've attended in the last couple years or so. Not many but a few.

 

[fxh]



Yes I have noticed that no one gets dressed for orchestral events for some years now. I used to go to a lot of SSO performances back in the 80's and 90's I would wear a suit, on all occasions. But I guess your observation just affirms the general adoption of casual dress for all occasions is the new Norm.
When I was a Theatre Manager in WW and it was a major event, Bell Shakespeare for example, people would turn out in their best. Suits from the townies, tweed from the land. Mind you I have noticed that here in Canberra at both the theatre and musical events the best dress people are all over 60.
As for a Nehru jacket on a conductor no thanks. And if you can the Adams conducts Adams MSO program in Melbourne is worth going too, far superior to what he is conducting with the SSO in Sydney.

I should add it was a free sponsored concert on a cold Wednesday night at the Town Hall not the recital centre or Concert hall and with essentially a student orchestra. But still.

Oh also I'm all in favour of "classical" music being a bit more "accessible" (if its a bit overused term to excuse making an effort on lots of things) - and if that means jeans at times then I guess...... still I would have expected a few ties and a few more tailored jackets.

 

[Foxhound]

Saw some dude in a suit at Metallica.

Also Lesuire Suit Larry. So surprised they aren't making them anymore.

 

[Geoffrey Firmin]



I should add it was a free sponsored concert on a cold Wednesday night at the Town Hall not the recital centre or Concert hall and with essentially a student orchestra. But still.

Oh also I'm all in favour of "classical" music being a bit more "accessible" (if its a bit overused term to excuse making an effort on lots of things) - and if that means jeans at times then I guess...... still I would have expected a few ties and a few more tailored jackets.

I think classical music is a lot more 'accessible' and has been for a long time, events such as Symphony/Opera in the Domain have done a lot. Also the end of the distinction between 'high' and 'low' culture which is really no excuse for not dressing well when you go out.

I remember a piece the SMH had in the gig guide advising heavy metal nerds on classical music, Dimitri was at the forefront with the 8th Symphony.

 

[FredAstaire1899]

I went to the opening night of the Vienna Philharmonic at the Sydney Opera House in 2011. Despite the orchestra being in white tie, a baritone who sung with the orchestra wore a lounge suit that didn't fit and un-polished shoes. A few gentlemen in the boxes wore black tie. Some wore a navy blazer and a tie. Other wore jeans and running sneakers. On the Friday performance, I also saw Bob Carr in black tie, and Paul Keating in a navy blazer.

 

[California Dreamer]

That might have been shooman. I seem to recall him fantasising about wearing and suit and Edward Greens to a death metal concert.

 

[California Dreamer]

Bob may have been going to an Ambassadorial after-party or something.

If Keating is wearing blue blazer to the symphony it must be acceptable. He might have tried harder for Mahler though.

 

[thebrownman]

Have further dropped the price on an MJ Bale suit (40R, brand new) to $290 posted in Australia. PM if keen, the link to item is in my signature

 

[Osiris2012]

Saw some dude in a suit at Metallica.

Also Lesuire Suit Larry. So surprised they aren't making them anymore.

They re-released the first one I believe recently, funded through Kickstarter. Was pretty buggy and well didnt bring back the old times memories of the original but worth a look to kill some time or distract you from spending more dollars on fashion.

 

[lennier]

In case anyone is interested, Aquascutum (the best trenchcoat makers IMHO) have a big sale on at the moment, 50% off. http://www.aquascutum.co.uk/Mens_Final_Reductions?pagesize=20&viewall=true
No Oz delivery unfortunately so you'd need to use a proxy service.

 

[PapaRubbery]

Yes I have noticed that no one gets dressed for orchestral events for some years now.

I was in London two years back for the Proms. Didn't have anything appropriate to wear, so went to the nearest op shop, and what just happens to staring back at me, but a wonderful flannel navy 3 piece suit that fit like a glove? Score! My mate bought a morning coat, and the fiancee naturally had lugged a formal dress half way across the world ("just in case!"). I was concerned we may be overdressed, but we managed to be appropriately dressed.

Never been to the orchestra in Australia though. I don't think it'd be as atmospheric. Everyone would definitely look like a shambles though.