Classical frustrations…
Recently Ben and I discovered that we both have a weakness for classical music. For me it’s coz I was brain washed into liking it from birth, and for him was having learnt to play the trumpet and joining a youth orchestra in Sydney. So, we were kind of excited about perhaps going to a concert or two. Because everyone else in this world seems to hate classical music. Bah humbugs to you all ;)
So, we’ve been hunting around for some kind of program. We’ve visited thailand ticket master that is pretty good, but it won’t actually tell you what will be played, just who. And there’s also the Thailand Cultural Centre which is one of the main concert halls here and also the most appropriate for classical music in Bangkok. It, thus, amazes me how bad their website is. I was trying to find out what concerts they will be playing, but like thai ticketmaster they seem to just tell you who is playing but not what they’re playing, which is kind of crucial. In addition, they still have programs for December 2003 on there. In addition, they don’t even list the concert listed in thai ticketmaster. Then when you would like to find out more information and go to their “contract us” their listed email address is actually non existent. Interestingly they also have a “libary”, and a “Gallary”. I just don’t get it, if you’re going to have a website, and then you decide that you’ll take the trouble to translate it into English, you’d think you’d at least get someone to proof it. It’s just a matter of professionalism and giving off the right image.
Anyway, I’m finding it really difficult to discover where the BSO plays and what they play. If anyone knows the best place to find this kind of info, I’d be something like forever endebted ;)
have you checked the bangkok metro magazine? there are all sorts of listings in there and i vaguely recall there being some classical performances listed.
shanghai has phantom of the opera playing right now and i’m very tempted to go. only issue is i have no idea where to buy tickets and i’ve read some poor reviews.
I hadn’t thought about the Metro Magazine. Actually I just checked their website, but it doesn’t seem to have been updated since 2002… I don’t understand why they keep hosting it?!
http://www.bkkmetro.com/indexx.php
Try the Bangkok Opera (home of the Siam Philharmonic Orchestra):
http://www.bangkokopera.com/
The BSO, since its inception, has been underfunded and undersupported; in essence, it’s baroque and needs fixin’! (sorry, couldn’t help myself). AUA also sponsors annual BSO concerts, so you might wanna try them. Follow the URL for contact information on AUA auditorium performances: http://www.auathailand.org/about/contact.html
HTH and choak dee.
Thank you! You’ve made our millenium!
i go to the ocncerts at the goethe institute really often. you can also check the free listing magazines like BK and Tom Yum.
there’s a mini music festival going on now. the next show is “an afternoon of harp music” on jan 22, at 3pm at the Tamnak Prathom (44/5 Ngamwongwan Soi 2).
BSO’s official website:
http://www.bangkoksymphony.org/index.html