I grew up in a town of about 1200 people. No stop light--only strategically placed stop signs. The main arts and entertainment in town centered around the school--sporting events and the seasonal high school band and choir concerts. Sometimes one of the churches in town had a special concert or guest artist. Other than that, one had to go elsewhere for a fine arts performance.
In spite of that, I knew about standing ovations. Those were the appreciations that went beyond mere applause...and, up until recently I thought, were reserved for those outstanding performances where applause when seated just won't do to express one's response.
The dictionary defines an ovation as a "prolonged enthusiastic response", "a show of public homage or welcome." I read that historically, a standing ovation was offered as a lesser recognition than a "triumph" to returning Roman victors during the heyday of the Empire. If you google "standing ovation" you will even find that the SOP (standing ovation problem) has been researched and analyzed mathematically for its social implications in a broader context. (You can't read the research without grinning, in my opinion.)
As a fairly frequent attender at arts events, with that status having been ratcheted up this year as season ticket holders for the Philharmonic concerts, I have increasingly wondered about standing ovations. I cannot recall the last concert or play I attended where, by the time the performers left the stage for the last time, the audience was not on its collective feet. We have excellent fine arts opportunities in Fort Wayne, so I can't remember ever going to an event that didn't deserve hearty audience applause. But, as I went to a play on Sunday and people were out of their seats and on their feet before the cast had even taken their first bow, I wondered again: Has the standing ovation lost its meaning? On the big stage of world events, this is a rather insignificant question. But it has been on my mind for some time and here is as good a place as any to get it out in the open.
I will applaud as long as the next fellow--every person who sets foot on a stage to do anything deserves deep audience thanks and recognition for the effort and skill that got him or her there. But it is past that point that I struggle. I always thought that a standing ovation was reserved for those extraordinary, "wow" performances that set them apart from all the other good ones in their class. So, sometimes, I choose not to stand as I offer my hearty, enthusiastic applause. But then, as all other bodies around me rise, I begin to wonder: Am I a fine arts ingrate? Is my taste lacking and have I not recognized what an exquisite performance I have just witnessed? (The aforementioned research dealt with the "herd mentality" that sometimes comes into the picture at this point.) My husband, whose fine arts sensibilities are more sharply honed than mine, is usually my gauge: if he offers a standing o, I will join in if I have not already been inclined to do so. (Peer pressure even then?)
I'm curious. Has the standing ovation lost its meaning in your experience? I'm especially curious about your thoughts on this subject if you are frequently on the other side of the footlights--the musician in the Philharmonic, the band member at the high school, the actor or actress on opening night.
Comments (9)
My thoughts...for what they're worth...I was there Sunday, too, and tho I thouroughly enjoyed the performance, wondered about the standing o. So, being curious, I glanced around, and it was divided maybe 50/50 standing and not standing. I think maybe some people are just moved more than others by certain things. Or maybe some were family members of the cast expressing their love. Personally, I remained in my seat. It's not that I didn't like the play. It was very good. It just did not move me to those levels of appreciation that would prompt me to stand to give that extra show of appreciation.
I wonder if it has anything to do with how some parents feel like they must constantly praise their children, even if the behavior is less than desirable? Or, how their kid can do nothing wrong & if they get into trouble at school..it must be the teachers fault? "Give them a standing o, make them feel accomplished! How dare someone say my kid isn't perfect?"
I think you are correct that it has lost it's meaning. In ten years on the stage with the Philharmonic, I don't remember a single performance in which we did not receive a standing ovation at the end. When they are truly meant, you can tell the difference - there are actual roars from the crowd, or calls for a specific player (Edvard Tchivzhel's final concert comes to mind, or the last time we did the magnificent Carmina Burana - which by the way we do again Saturday).
The last public performance at which I witnessed a few people give a standing O was after an accomplished violinist played his very difficult piece very well. The couple next to us stood, but we all remained seated along with the majority of the audience. I think if we all were musicians, we could have appreciated his skill in execution of the piece. I am not a musician, but I do have a sort of an "ear" for when a piece is well done or a little off. He did do very well, but I wasn't so moved to stand. I did hear a cellist once that moved so many of us close to tears and he did get a standing o from the 1400 of us listening.
So, to answer your question, I have been an observer and a participant of well deserved standing o's and not deserved standing o's by giving in to peer pressure.
Interesting discussion topic. I have to admit that I often stand if someone else stands, because I am tired of sitting. How's that for not having anything at all to do with it?
I think that it may be a well-intentioned, but misguided attempt to make the performer/athlete/honoree "feel good." One aspect of post-modernism is the "everyone's a winner" attitude. While self-image is important, I think that those folks back in that little 'burg all those years ago understood that the standing O was to be reserved (yes, I chose this word specifically) for the out of the ordinary. "It isn't everyone who gets to be an astronaut", to quote the demotivational poster. JMHO
I must confess that I tend not to give a standing ovation unless other do as well. I really shouldn't do that. So, I say give what you think the performer/athlete deserves, regardless of what others do.
As the director of the play you mentioned, Amy, I can offer the following (for what it's worth): that was the only standing ovation we received, and it was definitely not the best--nor the best attended--performance. I'm not really sure why it happened except that someone decided to start it. We certainly got great comments on the response cards, but I don't think it was the kind of show which evokes that kind of response.
We routinely have people say that we are doing the best theatre they've seen in Fort Wayne, but we seldom get standing Os, so...is our audience more savvy/picky? Too small in numbers to generate the energy needed to overcome inertia? Not doing shows with "wow" endings? (I think "Rwanda" got consistent ovations, and it was the kind of emotional play that tends to. I don't think "Radium Girls" was any easier to put on, but it didn't push all the emotion buttons.)
I'm personally not afraid to sit in my seat, and I'm not afraid to stand alone. But I think you're right and that at least in some contexts it seems to be expected. I think we have to judge based on the venue: any more, at the Philharmonic, the quality is so good that we should probably reserve the standing O for something over-the-top (like Orli Shaham on the piano). But at a high school show where everything went as well as a hs. show possibly could, maybe a standing O is appropriate, too. What do you think?
@godsbooklover - I think your observations and comments, especially as one who has been on all sides of the footlights, are right on. And I like your "it depends" thought relative to venue/expectations.
Thanks to EVERYONE who commented on this post and question--very enlightening. BTW--At the Philharmonic's season finale last Saturday night, I unabashedly participated in a standing O for the final number.