Contemporary Classical
When I walk through the glass doors of the David H. Koch Theater, where New York City Ballet is performing George Balanchine's Jewels, I find myself in a lobby of people much older than me, all dressed in fancy suits, dresses, and coats. I feel out of place wearing my black bomber jacket on the red velvet carpet of the theater. However, as I climb up the stairs to the highest floor, where the usher directs me, there are fewer and fewer older people, now replaced by people my age.
When I take my seat in the fourth ring, farthest from the stage and cheapest in the theater, everyone around me seems to be enjoying a casual night out with their friends or alone like me, and I no longer feel too out of place. This is probably because of the $30 for 30 program, which allows patrons between the age of 13 and 30 to buy New York City Ballet tickets for $30. Although these tickets are usually for the “worst” seats, they still invite young adults to enjoy this type of cultural entertainment — which can be unapproachable — on a budget.
Because tickets for classical theater performances such as ballet, opera, and classical music concerts tend to be expensive, reaching hundreds of dollars per ticket, they are more popular among older people than young adults, who are less financially stable, and are thus branded as “old people” activities. For people of color like me, the lack of representation in American theaters — both on stage and in the audience — also makes them harder to approach. Though many shows now strive to have a diverse cast, the stages continue to be dominated by white people, and the image of white dancers and musicians when I think of European performances is difficult to shut out.
Yet, there is something special about this antique cultural activity that attracts everyone, including young adults like me, to the classical theater. For me, personally, it is the distinct sound of classical music in these huge theaters that draws me in.
Unlike more modern music that is pre-recorded and uses technology to make synthetic sounds, classical music is unique because of the rawness of classical instruments. Having played in multiple orchestras, I know the pressure of performing live, how one mistake can echo through the whole concert hall, and the stamina required to play an hours-long concerto, especially for instruments the musician must hold up with their upper body. Yet, when the entire orchestra plays in unison — in the sections marked “unis.” on the music — I am hit with a rush of adrenaline, which fuels me through the concert, no matter how sore my arms may be. This same adrenaline fuels me when I’m listening too.
I also feel a pull toward classical theaters because of their beautiful and historical designs. During a European tour with my orchestra in the summer of 2022, I had the opportunity to perform in three aesthetic and historic venues, including the 19th-century Austrian music hall, Congress Graz, which was draped with red carpets and adorned with statues and chandeliers. With walls and ceilings specifically designed to enhance the sound of classical instruments, the music vibrated even more beautifully in the space — and in my heart.
Now, with new forms of entertainment, however, classical music — and along with it, performances like ballet and opera — are becoming less popular, and, as a classical music enthusiast, I am sad that my peers cannot find the joy that I do in it. Though it may not be for everyone, I believe that more people would acquire an appreciation for it if they were to stop categorizing classical music as “boring.”
The Nutcracker is an overwhelmingly popular ballet for the winter. If in search of a more unique experience, I suggest watching another New York City Ballet show, a Met Opera, or a recital at Carnegie Hall with a couple of friends. It might just be the perfect way to stay warm this winter and discover a new love for a timeless art form.
