origin

When I was a pianist, I often had a simple question about stage costumes - as a Japanese guy.

Europe is the cradle of the classical music. No Asian people linked to the music must have been in its early history. Now there are a lot of Asian musicians in the filed of classical music and some of them are acknowledged as world class artists.

However, what do people from Europe think about an Asian musician with his tuxedo or her dress, which is not traditional Asian cloth like Kimono, on the stage playing musical instruments from Europe?

I am simply talking about the appearance. When I see 'La Japonaise' by Monet, I find myself feeling that I am looking at something new of idea to wear a Kimono. I can't help staring at the woman with blond garbed in the beautiful red Kimono since I don't get used to see a white woman with Kimono. For example, do you think of it looking natural when a Japanese pianist plays the piano with Kimono?

Here is a season program of Singapore Symphony Orchestra. The guy sitting on the sixteenth note is Lan Shui, the music director of the orchestra, and the picture below is a page where he describes 'etiquette' at the concert for audience who might have no idea how to do. I have not seen this sort of announcement in a concert program before, and this is a good idea to let people know what they should do and shouldn't do as audience. I think the classical music is not that popular yet in Singapore and there must be quite a few audiences who need a guide explaining a proper behaviour in concert attending.Yes, western cultures are still new somehow in Asian countries.
Lan Shui looks very nice in his tuxedo, by the way. I don't feel any odd to see Asian people wear western clothing.

But, how about you?