Trust me - this is not going where you think it is ;-)
Having had my choice of concert to attend last time, and choosing Marilyn Manson (live in Paris), it was not my turn this time. Imagine the terror when I found out that it was to be a Symphony Orchestra.
Firstly, I have no issue with classical music but, attending a concert along with 500 or so very old people did not appeal to me in the slightest. I had visions of being stuck in a room full of old people telling me to 'Sssshhhh' at every given moment as they had their hearing aids turned up full blast.
Arriving at the venue did nothing to allay my fears. We got stuck in the equivalent of a sprint race for lavender-scented snails. Looking on the bright side I figured, the Grim Reaper should be working the door selecting people as they hobbled in - "and YOU can stay behind at the end" etc.
Once inside, we took our seats amongst what I could only describe as a PG Tips Tea Party. The Orchestra eventually wandered onto stage and started warming up.
Then they started playing - and bloody hell they were good. Firstly, yes they were playing classical music, but interspersed with Gypsy music given the aid of a 100 piece Orchestra.
The sense of enjoyment they were having at playing was contagious and then, when they started to encourage the audience to clap the beat in participation the room went wild.
Two and a half hours later, after several standing ovations, and three encores. The evening finally came to an end.
If you have to attend only one concert this year, you really should consider seeing The Budapest Gypsy Symphony Orchestra .
To put it quite simply - THEY ROCK