Originally Posted by
BrianMinn
I'm continually frustrated by internet program notices for classical music performances that say "The programme is subject to change, it'll be determined to the day of performance," with no other indication of works to be performed. It's hard to believe that this is the case. In the West, unless changed suddenly by performer sickness, these things are known months in advance.
What am I missing?
Well, if you're talking about China, it's that at the last minute, the government could pull the plug on the whole show, or demand some change in the music.
Though fortunately, these days this is more likely to happen with rock than with classical.
IME, this is usually just boilerplate. I haven't been to a music performance that deviated much if any from the original stated program. Normally there is advance description somewhere of what the program will be. I'm curious--have you actually attended concerts where a bait-and-switch happened? And if so, was it an international touring ensemble or a Chinese one?