And the band played on

A low murmur spread out over the crowd filing into the concert hall. An occasional loud voice turned heads and set tongues clucking.

As the house lights dimmed, everyone found their seat and dutifully silenced cellphones, except for a few ill-mannered patrons who insisted on taking selfies for Facebook pages.

The curtains parted and the maestro strode out to his podium, bowing to the audience. Rising to his music stand, he tapped out a rapid staccato, then raised his baton, signaling the musicians to raise their instruments.

Tickets should have come with gas masks, the music was most foul.