Sir, – At a number of concerts that I’ve attended in the past few months I’ve noticed an increasing tendency to give standing ovations.
Irish audiences have always been very discerning in this regard but I fear we may be edging towards a situation, as in the United States, where, sheep-like, people tend to jump to their feet to “ovate” even the most mediocre performance.
While the most of the concerts I attended were very good indeed, I wonder what’s left to show appreciation of a truly outstanding performance, one with the real “wow” factor, if a standing ovation becomes the norm.
I recognise that applying words like “mediocre” or “outstanding” to a performance is highly subjective but I think we should beware of devaluing the standing ovation through overuse.
I'm reminded of the song from Gilbert and Sullivan's The Gondoliers – "when everyone is somebody, then no-one's anybody". – Yours, etc,
SALLY SWEENEY,
Carrigavantry,
Co Waterford.