If you go to a pop or rock concert, you are guaranteed to see pops of color. However, when you go to a classical or orchestral concert, you might have noticed one thing the musicians have in common.
No, I am not referring to the teamwork involved to create beautiful music. They are all dressed in black, so you might be wondering why that is the case.
According to Classic FM, when orchestras used to play for noble households in the early 18th century, they wore a uniform consisting of a black-tie tuxedo, much like other "servants" in the household. Also, men were only allowed to play in an orchestra during that time period.
It was not until the mid-20th century that women began to play in orchestras. So naturally, the onstage uniform for orchestras followed suit. Most women often wear a smart black dress or tea-length skirt, or a white shirt and black pants.
Black and white colors do not draw unnecessary attention to the musicians, while they may not be fun colors to wear on the orchestral stage. Smart and conservative dress has been considered the standard since the 18th century.
However, there is an exception to this rule. The only performer who should not wear black and white is the soloist, whether it is an instrumental or vocal one. The eyes of the audience should go towards the soloist because he or she is the special guest of the performance.
So, all in all, the audience prefers to draw their attention to the music being made, and only the music. In addition, it reduces the distractions caused by the musicians' uniforms. This provides an opportunity to appreciate the highly-skilled musicians actively at work.
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