Fight Breaks Out at Boston Pops Concert

Matt Ellinger is upset. He and his girlfriend recently attended a Boston Pops concert at Symphony Hall when all hell broke loose.

Not the place known for causing a ruckus, the Pops have been putting on several, formal concerts for over 50 years to the area's finest. People have traveled from places all over the country, and arguably the world, to see them perform. It's considered a formal evening out, and proper dress is required.

Ellinger is a 27-year-old graphic designer from Brighton, Massachusetts, who decided to spend a quality evening with his girlfriend "Ellie" at Symphony Hall. While the couple were trying to enjoy an evening out, they became entwisted in a brawl with another couple sitting in the seats in front of them.

The fight was so loud and distracting, that even Conductor Keith Lockhart temporarily stopped the concert so the involved parties could be removed. The pause in playing lasted approximately a minute and a half.

Matt claims the couple in front of him would not stop talking during the concert, so he tapped his program on the shoulder of one of the people. The person who had gotten "tapped" turned around and threatened to throw Matt off the balcony. After the discussion continued amongst the other couple, he went on to complain to a nearby usher. When returning to his seat, that's when the fight broke out. Both men and both of their dates were involved. Witnesses say they heard screams, and chairs being strewn about. One man, but which one has not been identified, even had his shirt ripped off. No injuries were reported after the fists had been flying.

All parties were removed, and the concert went on as planned. Matt gave his side of the story, which you can find here: www.myfoxboston.com but the other parties involved have not come forward to give their side of the story.

Matt hopes to file charges today, May 11^th against the other couple with whom him and his girlfriend were fighting.

The Boston Pops performed their first concert back in 1885, and have been a popular orchestra since those early days. Most notably known is their July 4^th concert, which is shown all over the country with the spectacular fireworks display. Keith Lockhart has been the conductor for the Pops since February 1995. He is the 20^th conductor. The concert has been known to drawn in over 500,000 people in attendance.