Orchestras and opera companies should resume performing in front of full houses because their audiences are “enlightened” enough to avoid the coronavirus, according to a group of German scientists.
Researchers from the Charité university hospital in Berlin said “disciplined” classical music enthusiasts could be relied upon to sit cheek-by-jowl without taking unnecessary risks such as talking during concerts.
The paper has been widely criticised but was welcomed by the culture minister, Monika Grütters, who said the requirement for people to keep at least 1.5m apart in public spaces was a significant obstacle to reviving live performances. The four scientists argued that classical concertgoers were “distinguished by their enlightened understanding of the safety situation, disciplined conduct and meticulous compliance with guidelines”.
In a brief paper, they
