Dressing for Concerts (July 11, 2025)

From left to right: the rose dress at my Faust Harrison recital; the yellow-gold dress for the Alexander & Buono Academy performance; the rose dress again at MIMOCA; and the yellow gold dress for the second half of the same concert.

As a performer I have learned to select gowns that are simple, comfortable, and classic. 

For me it is very important to take into consideration a number of factors when choosing what to buy and what to wear.  Some of the more obvious considerations are the time of day and the temperature, but others are issues like what seems to be appropriate to a particular performance space, and above all, making sure nothing gets in the way of my playing.

The two dresses I am wearing in the photos meet all of these requirements.  Not only are they perfect for summer, but they also leave me with my hands and arms free, which is very important.  They also pack well, which means less ironing when I have to travel.

In the case of the concert hall at MIMOCA (Maragame Genichiro-Inokuma Museum of Contemporary Art) I chose two different gowns because I like the idea of changing between the first and second halves of the concert.  The weather was also warm, so sleeveless dresses worked particularly well. 

I also think that all artists should think of clothing not just as something to wear, but also like uniforms which you will wear many times over the years.  I don’t recommend buying something you are not going to want to wear again and again at least three, four, or five years after you’ve purchased it.

Notice these videos of Kathleen Battle wearing the same gown for three different performances.  The first is in Vienna in 1987, followed by a performance at New York’s Metropolitan Museum in 1990, and at the Metropolitan Opera in 1991.

Another element I think musicians need to consider is the fact that now more than ever they are being photographed and filmed all the time, so it is a good idea to ask yourself “How will I feel about this dress if I see a photo of myself in it twenty years from now?”

I like to wear gowns instead of dresses because I consider concerts to be more formal than other events.  It is also a good way to show respect for the genius of the composers, not to mention being fun for me, because I love to dress up!

Please let me know in the Comments which you like best.  Thanks!