The City of Falling Angels on the phenomenon of theatre...

'but as everybody knows, going to the opera has always been a social thing. You can even see it in the architecture. Only a third of the seats are positioned so they have a good view of the stage.'

John Berendt quoting Count Girolamo Marcello quoting whoever said "they come to see, they come that they themselves may be seen." I can't remember who said that and neither can the internet. Stupid internet.