99 Autographs of Rolando on the Wall, Or: How to Approach an Artist

I like to go to the stage door after a performance - not to get autographs or take pictures of the artists but to watch the goings-on and indulge in the performance after the performance. Some opera fans have always puzzled me: Academics who camp out at ticket offices to get tickets for the most wanted performances. Filthy rich people who pay $$$ for front row seats just to play games on their smart phones while Domingo is singing. Elderly ladies using their elbows to push other elderly ladies aside only to get a peek of Grigolo. Seemingly sophisticated people who travel far just to be able to say, “The performance was as dreadful as I had expected.” People you see at the opera about 5 times a week whose biggest aim in life is to get the 99th autograph (and after that the 100th, 101st, 102nd…) of Villazón but who know nothing about the art of singing, the history of the artform or even what opera it was they did see that very night. It is especially this obsession with autographs that I will never understand, hence the question I would like to pose today:


What do people do with 99 autographs of one single artist?


I have always pictured their homes wallpapered with these autographs. Is that for real? I understand the concept of using autographs as an excuse to be close to the artist you admire. After a while the artist will remember your face, though. At least when you get your 99th autograph they will know you. And yes, they will probably ask the same question: What the heck do you do with my autographs?!


Have people ever considered a different form of approaching an artist? Call me crazy but I suggest to simply talk to them instead. If you found their performance particularly marvelous tell them how much you liked it, what you liked about it. If you’re genuinely interested in the artist’s career, in that particular production, the evening’s performance you should be able to come up with some clever question. If you ask in a respectful way they will gladly answer your questions. And when they do, say ‘thank you’ and don’t forget to greet them in a polite manner before you leave. In short: Use common sense!


If you can’t come up with anything to talk to them about show a little respect for the person who just got off work and freakin’ leave them alone! ABSOLUTE NO-GO: Getting 20 pictures signed at once! You’re never gonna get rich selling those autographs on eBay.


I don’t want to be a hypocrite about this, I’ve only seen so much go wrong in the artist-fan-interaction when respect is the simple key for every human interaction!