Just a quick anecdote about a conversation that I had before Monday evening’s concert.
I was in the chocolate shop Cacao (just off the Heathman Hotel lobby) getting a quick Americano when a couple seated at the window asked what the orchestra was playing tonight. I told them that we were doing Mahler 4 and Barber Knoxville. They asked me if the Oregon Symphony was a good orchestra. I replied that, yes, we were. They then asked me how we compared to the Phoenix Symphony – we’re better, I replied – and a few other orchestras (also better than them, I said). They asked if Phoenix was all that bad. I said in reply “No, but we’re damn good!” I asked if they were just visiting or were new to the area. They have lived in Portland for a couple years, having moved from New York City (they said they went to the MET often, had I heard of that?). I said that I had heard of the MET, and that, in fact, the OSO had been invited to play Carnegie Hall in 2011. This got very impressed and approving looks. Carnegie is definitely improving our stock amongst those who are not that familiar with us.
This was their first time at the symphony here in Portland, and though I didn’t think to ask, I’m willing to bet that they were here on the free exchange from previous night’s ticket stubs. I think we made some more friends.