Meet Dr. David Glowacki. David is non-equilibrium molecular reaction dynamics expert from Stanford University currently working as a Royal Society Research Fellow in England.
While taking in a performance of classic music, namely Handel’s “Messiah,” at the Bristol Old Vic in England, he did what any good-standing concert goer would do. He began to crowd surf. To be fair, the art director invited the audience to stand in front of the stage and clap along.
According to The Independent, after "lurching from side to side with his hands raised and whooping," the good Doctor tried to crowd surf. Normally at a metal show, security would escort you out. But not at a classical show! Audience members, befuddled by this act, grabbed Glowacki and escorted him out of the building.
For his part, Glowacki is not sorry for trying to inject a bit of fun into the show:
“Classical music, trying to seem cool and less stuffy, reeks of some sort of fossilised art form undergoing a midlife crisis.
“Witness what happened to me when I started cheering with a 30-strong chorus shouting ‘praise God’ two metres from my face: I get physically assaulted, knocked down to the floor and forcibly dragged out by two classical vigilantes.
“Neither the bourgeoisie audience nor their curators (eg Tom Morris) really believe what they say.
“You’re free to behave as you like, and it’s comforting to think that you have that freedom, but it’s only available to you so long as you behave correctly.”
I can barely stand crowd surfing at metal shows, I can only imagine how the classic audience felt. At the same time, it seemed like harmless fun and nobody was hurt. Lighten up, classical fans
