I am old enough to remember when the Metropolitan Opera began to ask the audience not to applaud after every aria, on the grounds that it hindered the singers from sustaining the dramatic flow of the opera. It may be true for more modern works, but Baroque operas were written to be interrupted. I do, however, appreciate being able to listen in silence while the music is actually occurring, though I figure that if you need to cough, you need to cough. Rattling your program, however, is under your control, so watch it, buster! 😁 mobdro 2022
