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Home > ATLarts > Archives > 2007 > October > 11 > Entry
Sex and the Symphony?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When you see a woman’s full, glossy red lips, do you think “symphony”? Maybe you do now if you saw the ads for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s recent sold-out performances of Puccini’s “La Boheme.”
Sex is used to sell classical music, and why not? Many classical musicians are good-looking (there is more than one website devoted to the hottest women in classical music), and there’s a long history of music that stirs passion. Old opera houses even have private rooms behind the boxes where lovers could meet when the music turned their thoughts to earthly pleasures.
The Utah Symphony and Opera is capitalizing on the connection between sex and classical music by, among other things, placing provocative slogans in fortune cookies at Chinese restaurants (“man who takes woman to opera finds pleasure after”), as I learned in this entertaining story. The marketing seems to have helped ticket sales. Similarly, the grand old music label Deutsche Grammophon now signs only top-notch musicians who also look glamorous on the CD cover.
What do you think? Does this kind of marketing matter? Are you more likely to buy a classical CD or attend a concert if the artist is a hottie?
Permalink | Comments (10) | Categories: Classical Music
Comments
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By John in Tampa, FLA
October 11, 2007 8:21 AM | Link to this
What’s better than roses on a piano?
By Jazzyone
October 11, 2007 8:49 AM | Link to this
Well I purchase classical music because it sooths my soul, but I will say that the classics in the theater and Opera spiced up with sex appeal will entice me to purchase tickets just a nice added extra bonus to the visual pleasure.
By Atlanta Pearl Girl
October 11, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this
I’ve always been drawn to the music….period. Classical, Opera…. love it. Very very sensual.
I think it’s great if they market the sexual side. Everyone needs a wee bit more sex in their lives…… and it’s fun.
Go Sexy Opera!!!
Atlanta Pearl Girl
By Prootwadl
October 11, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this
What’s better than roses on a piano?
How about a long sleek woman in a tight red dress stretched out on a piano? ;-)
By John in Tampa, FLA
October 11, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this
You mean like Michelle Pfeifer in Fabulous Baker Boys?
By Benton A**
October 11, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this
Guys guys guys! Is it that you don’t recognize one of the classics? Tulips on your organ is the appropriate answer. Jeez! Did you all skip out of First through sixth grade?
By Leonard
October 11, 2007 6:44 PM | Link to this
This is wonderful. Such a refreshing approach and so seldom used.
By Rodney
October 11, 2007 6:47 PM | Link to this
This disturbs me. We do not need this gutter approach.
By Mark
October 11, 2007 7:12 PM | Link to this
John
Tulips on an organ…
By Carbon Footprint
October 11, 2007 7:32 PM | Link to this
How do you think that Mozart wrote Cosi Fan Tutti with such aplomb?