More intimate details of chaos at the Concertgebouw

A number of readers have written in, reporting their dismay at disruptions to Mahler’s sixth symphony by an exotic couple in the audience. One reader, by contrast, says it was not as bad as we reported.

The Concertgebouw have not responded.

So here is some more detail of the unacceptable intrusions from an independent eyewitness:

For context I was seated in front of them, to the left. They were in the nearest seat to the conductor.

The couple were dressed as follows:

The man was 6ft4, had a long black ponytail, was dressed in a silk dress and hand his hands adorned in rings and covered in tattoos.

The woman was wearing a white top and baggy cream trousers.

I have no doubt in my mind they were both under the influence of drugs.

Their actions were as follows:

1)The conductor explained the symphony – the woman stood up, applauded and cheered.

2) Section 1: The male impersonated the conductor, waving his hands throughout. He had his phone out, holding it up, filming, texting and taking photos. He loudly dropped it three times. He cheered, spoke to his companion and even sang along. I kid you not. He sand along, loudly to the music. The did also kiss loudly.

The woman mimicked his actions. At the end of the section she stood up, applauded and cheered again. The conductor turned around furiously and tapped his head aggressively, as if to tell her to ’think’. That was beyond her.

Section 2: They continued this behaviour. Exactly the same but even more bold.

At the end of the section a staff member from the Concertgebouw approached them and spoke to them. I have already asked the Concertgebouw why thew were not removed. I have not had a response yet.

Section 3: They continued to use their phones, kiss and talk throughout. They continued to pretend to conduct. They continued to try to speak to other members of the audience who asked them, quietly, to be silent.

The woman clapped loudly at the end of the section. He laughed along with her as the audience gave their reaction. My father loudly whispered ‘be quiet’, and several other audience members told them to ‘leave’.

Section 4: most tellingly, at the end, they stayed silent, didn’t stand, or applaud the conductor or orchestra.

They added the most horrible sense of dread and anxiety throughout the performance. Their despicable behaviour was deliberate (they laughed as they were told to be quiet) and abhorrent. I have never experienced that before.

I have written to the Concertgebouw to ask why they were not removed. They ruined the evening for the audience, the orchestra and the conductor. I thought throughout the performance about what I would do if I were the conductor.

I would, however, like to commend the conductor and orchestra for their professionalism and reaction.