How did broadcasting and recording expand audiences for concert performers?

Broadcasting and recording technology fundamentally transformed the relationship between performers and their audiences, shifting from direct, localized interaction to remote, mass-scale engagement.1

In the 20th century, recordings became essential for concert performers to build and maintain a following. Audiences, both domestic and international, often attended live performances specifically because they were already familiar with the artist’s work through music recording. This created a cycle where distinguished recordings were a prerequisite for attracting concert-goers.2

Broadcasting further expanded this reach by disseminating performances to dispersed audiences in their own homes. While live concerts traditionally relied on a direct relationship within an enclosed space, radio and television allowed performers to reach vast, remote audiences. Radio, in particular, served as a vital medium for the dissemination of opera and other musical arts originally created for the stage.1

Ultimately, these technologies linked the global audience to the performer, though some critics noted that this shift caused many performers to rely on technical studio aids, occasionally blurring the lines between live artistry and recorded production.23