A concert, also known as a gig or show, is a live musical performance. It can be given by a single musician, in which case it is called a recital, or by a group of musicians such as an orchestra or choir. It can be presented in a wide variety of settings, from private houses to small nightclubs to mid-sized concert halls and large arenas and stadiums. In the past, concerts were often held in churches and other religious venues, but today they are most frequently held in secular places such as schools, auditoriums, and private homes.
The word concert comes from the Italian consert, meaning “agreement or harmony between things.” A concert may refer to an agreement between individuals on a matter, but it can also refer to an arrangement of music or other art forms for public enjoyment. The earliest reference in English appears in the late 16th century, in a play written by Christopher Marlowe: “The harmony of a concerte [Spanish concierto] is such, that if one note be missing, the whole is out of order.”
In the modern sense, a concert is an event where musicians perform written music for a paying audience. This music is usually performed in a hall designed for this purpose, with the audience sitting in silence and listening to the works as they were originally intended by the composers. The concert form as we know it has evolved a great deal since the 18th century, but its main coordinates remain: the work, the silence, and the place.
A recent development in concert theory is the emphasis on the social and aesthetic experience of attending a performance. All aspects of the concert, including seating arrangements, ritualized behavior, acoustics and lighting, the length of the performances, the professionalization of musicians, and the selection of works to be programmed, are seen as enhancing this experience. A fifth perspective, that of history, is also important, as it enables us to see how the concert can serve as a site for the fruitful confrontation of disparate strata of the past.
A concert can be an excellent way to introduce you to a new work or to familiarize yourself with an old favorite. It can also be an entertaining evening out for family and friends, and it can even be a very moving experience. Whether you attend a concert to be entertained, moved, or all of the above, it is an activity that should be experienced at least once in your lifetime.