Down, people, down: Too many standing ovations

Maybe my standards are too high.

Lately it seems audiences at shows I attend are quick with the standing ovation. Nothing wrong with a public display of affection, but the show tonight had a standing O after the first movement of a concerto. Heck, you’re not even supposed to applaud at that point.

Let’s save the standing ovation for the end, when we want to …

• recognize a truly excellent performance, from beginning to end
• show our love to the performers
• and maybe entice them for an encore.

Not everything is excellent, the best ever, the supreme maximum level of human achievement. Good merits applause. Great merits loud applause and a “bravo.” Only the truly exceptional merits my butt leaving the seat. The rest is irrational exuberance.