'If the show must go on, phones must go off'

Tenor Ian Bostridge said his performance was interrupted by audience members holding up phones

A classical tenor who stopped mid-concert after becoming distracted by the audience filming has said the spell of performances is being broken by phones.

Ian Bostridge said seeing phones being held up towards him as he sang had interrupted and distracted his performance with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO).

The orchestra has recently come under fire by performers for altering its rules, allowing the audience to take photos and snippets of film during concerts.

CBSO stated that photography had been allowed at concerts for a number of years, giving audiences the chance to share their experiences.

Mr Bostridge said he was not aware of the policy when he stopped the concert and added his actions were not intended to make "a protest of any sort".

But since learning about the new rules, he said he hoped that the CBSO would change its mind.

In the orchestra's vision statement, it states that any "perceived 'rules' of a traditional concert" are removed, with audiences also invited to clap whenever they like.

"We are doing these things because we believe that the best music in the world should be for everyone," the vision statement adds.

Mr Bostridge said of performance: "You're doing something that's very difficult and also you're trying to project a lot of emotion through music.

"We do have an issue with attracting new audiences but I don't think this is the way to go."

CBSO said it allowed the audience to take photographs and short snippets of film during concerts

Ruth Millington, an arts writer from Birmingham, said a phone at a recent CBSO performance left her feeling distracted and not enjoying the concert.

"You're there to have two hours where you can actually put your phone away.

"We're all so addicted to our phones, how great to have somewhere you can put it down for two hours and enjoy and immerse yourself in music."

CBSO requests that people use their phones with a dimmed brightness and without flash during concerts.

"We have clarified our rules around photography and filming following feedback.

"However we remain supportive of audiences being able to use their phones at appropriate moments during our concerts."