20 replies to this topic

[Kathleen O'Connell]

Simon G, on 14 June 2011 - 12:36 AM, said:

dirac, on 13 June 2011 - 09:21 PM, said:

I'm also puzzled by some omissions. Why are Dowager Marchionesses the only Dowagers listed? Surely there must be other titled widows of a certain age who go to the ballet.

(Speaking of "come the revolution," Simon, am I wrong or didn't you already have one? Charles I lost his head, I believe? And then you invited all those titled unemployables back again. Somewhat neutered, of course, but still.)

Dirac,

I think in this case you can assume that the ROH is catering directly to its core subscribers/individuals. In the UK we have several Dowager Marchionesses, which is a title in itself.

So when the current Dowager Marchioness of Salisbury, Bute, Queensbury, Lansdowne etc etc etc books her tickets online (or has some flunky do it for her) she'll get a lil frisson of delight to see that the ROH subscriptions department has catered precisely to her title. Now that's customer service.

There are that many of them? Well, never mind then. It's not nearly exclusive enough.  I'll have to pick something else. In the meantime, Call me Madam!

... и пожалуйста, товарищ Симон Г.

[bart]

What's next?  Perhaps ballet characters will have to give their titles in order to get on stage.  

How about "W/Cdr" for von Rothbart?  (W/Cdr = Wing Commander, I believe.)

Oh, wait.  Rothbart is already a Baron, and that's on the list.

[Helene]

This made me wonder what options are given at Bayreuth, since in Germany, academic and professional titles are still very much expected to be correct, and Wagner was far from the revolutionary friend-of-Bakunin by the time Bayreuth was built.  The website doesn't offer online ticket sales -- paper applications only -- but registration to purchase from their gift shop has two options:  Frau.  Herr.

[dirac]

Simon G, on 14 June 2011 - 12:36 AM, said:

dirac, on 13 June 2011 - 09:21 PM, said:

I'm also puzzled by some omissions. Why are Dowager Marchionesses the only Dowagers listed? Surely there must be other titled widows of a certain age who go to the ballet.

Dirac,

I think in this case you can assume that the ROH is catering directly to its core subscribers/individuals. In the UK we have several Dowager Marchionesses, which is a title in itself.

So when the current Dowager Marchioness of Salisbury, Bute, Queensbury, Lansdowne etc etc etc books her tickets online (or has some flunky do it for her) she'll get a lil frisson of delight to see that the ROH subscriptions department has catered precisely to her title. Now that's customer service.

Thanks. But I believe "Dowager" also applies as a title in itself to others? There's a Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, for example, although I don't recall that she's much of a balletgoer. Why marchionesses and not duchesses? Unless you mean by core subscribers exactly that - individuals whose names are on the list. My apologies if I'm being dense.

[Simon G]

dirac, on 14 June 2011 - 09:23 AM, said:

Simon G, on 14 June 2011 - 12:36 AM, said:

dirac, on 13 June 2011 - 09:21 PM, said:

I'm also puzzled by some omissions. Why are Dowager Marchionesses the only Dowagers listed? Surely there must be other titled widows of a certain age who go to the ballet.

Dirac,

I think in this case you can assume that the ROH is catering directly to its core subscribers/individuals. In the UK we have several Dowager Marchionesses, which is a title in itself.

So when the current Dowager Marchioness of Salisbury, Bute, Queensbury, Lansdowne etc etc etc books her tickets online (or has some flunky do it for her) she'll get a lil frisson of delight to see that the ROH subscriptions department has catered precisely to her title. Now that's customer service.

Thanks. But I believe "Dowager" also applies as a title in itself to others? There's a Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, for example, although I don't recall that she's much of a balletgoer. Why marchionesses and not duchesses? Unless you mean by core subscribers exactly that - individuals whose names are on the list. My apologies if I'm being dense.

Yeah, that's what I meant. They've obviously compiled this list from their core demographic, subscription list, friend list or database. Though I can't imagine they'd be billing Queen Elizabeth for her box.

The ridiculousness of it aside, as Helene said at Bayreuth you get Herr or Frau, it's kind of crass. Bear in mind too that the ROH & all its enterprises is funded greatly from taxpayers money, the ROH receives more than any other arts institution in the UK despite the fact that the companies never tour the UK, the venue caters to a tiny percentage of the population who indeed fund it, nor want it nor use it, or indeed feel excluded by the nature of high art - and you get a really nasty taste in one's mouth. That pull down list of the social elite which the ROH so tactfully and tastefully wants you to know makes up its core demographic are essentially sitting in seats partly subsidised by the taxes of the hoi polloi and unwashed masses who don't have the benefit of significant tax breaks, havens or skilled accountants well versed in the art of legal tax dodgery. The same cant be said for those on the pull down list.

Meh. I think the ROH can knock their protestations that they're serving the whole of GB and high art is for all bunk, which they trot out regularly that's the egregious part how disingenuous it all is. Not least because the RB started out as a socialist ideal, bringing ballet to arts' deprived Britain in the Old sadlers Wells for a few shillings a ticket.

[papeetepatrick]

Simon G, on 14 June 2011 - 10:00 AM, said:

Meh. I think the ROH can knock their protestations that they're serving the whole of GB and high art is for all bunk, which they trot out regularly that's the egregious part how disingenuous it all is. Not least because the RB started out as a socialist ideal, bringing ballet to arts' deprived Britain in the Old sadlers Wells for a few shillings a ticket.

I agree.  You have to draw the line somewhere...