Sky-High Prices for the Berlin Philharmonic

I was happy that the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) is going to make their debut in Hong Kong very soon. However, I was shocked (and sad!) to learn the sky-high prices for their forthcoming concerts. The prices set for the two concerts taking place on 13 & 14 Nov 2005 are $2,500, $2,000, $1,600, $1,200, $800 and $300. Think about it. If my wife and I were to attend both concerts and we were to buy the second cheapest tickets ($800), it would cost us $3,200! For some families, this could mean one-third of their monthly household income. How could ordinary music lovers afford to attend BPO's concert? For comparison, if my memory serves me well, $800 is more expensive than the most expensive tickets ($780) for Philadelphia Orchestra, which visited Hong Kong some months ago. Both are LCSD sponsored events. I wonder what makes such a difference.

Of course, the BPO is arguably the best orchestra in the world. But if you compare the concert prices with those of Europe, the UK, or the US, you would find that there is a significant difference - London Philharmonic Orchestra's tickets range from 10 pounds to 50 pounds; Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra's tickets range from EUR19 to EUR118. The tickets of BPO's concerts in the Philharmonie (their home) range from EUR28 to EUR99 only! So why are they charging such an outrageous price here in HK? But hang on, they are charging a higher price in Beijing - RMB4,800 for the highest price. We should perhaps feel lucky here in Hong Kong!

There are discounts (half-price) for the disabled, students and elderly. I support that. But is it necessary to sponsor students to buy tickets of all categories, including the most expensive ones? Wouldn't it be more appropriate to restrict these discounts to, say, tickets at $800 or below, so that the overall price can be lowered? And has the German Consulate in Hong Kong sponsored it, so that it would truly become a cultural exchange event? It seems that the event has turned into a social gathering function only for the rich and the government officals instead. Apart from the Chief Secretary, the Honourable Mr. Raphael Hui, others in the party probably won't be able to enjoy the music anyway.

I wish the BPO and Sir Simon have a good time in Hong Kong. Of course they will!