Live opera adds a whole other dimension to the music. After all, operas were designed to be performed, not just heard. Once you're familiar with some of the music, watching an opera on a stage--where you can see the action unfold and hear the live orchestra and singers--will captivate you even more. So here's your assignment:
1. Find out about the opera scene near you. If you live in a large city, you're set: New York, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston and many other major cities have their own opera companies that usually perform from September to May. To find an opera house near you, try checking out Stanford's OperaGlass listings (see Resources.)
2. Start with an opera that you've already listened to, so you can compare your vision with the opera company's. Keep in mind that it's always more dramatic watching people on stage than plugging in your CD player; we're confident you will prefer the live version.
3. Don't worry about those foreign languages. Many opera companies perform in English translations or have supertitles projected above the stage that translate for you simultaneously.
4. Finding cheap tickets is mostly a matter of time and perseverance, with some luck thrown in. If you're a student, ask about discounts; some theaters take up to half off the regular ticket price. And most operas have plain old cheap tickets in the top balcony.
5. For sold-out shows, people sometimes hawk unused tickets outside the theater, but you're taking a risk to assume you'll find some for a decent price. (Scalping opera tickets? The uncultured heathens!)
6. To get the most out of your cheap tickets, bring a pair of binoculars, and always keep an eye out for empty seats down in front right before the show starts!
7. Summer festivals are usually less expensive and might have outdoor performances, which add a nice picnic atmosphere to the performance. Get there early so you can see what's going on.
8. Finally, make a fun event out of the evening. Dress well, have a nice dinner, then sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.
on 5/16/2009
HelloCan someone tell me who Tigerlily was? Was she a character in Madame Butterfly, or in The mikado?Or was she in something else?Thank you
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bellbird said
on 5/16/2009 HelloCan someone tell me who Tigerlily was? Was she a character in Madame Butterfly, or in The mikado?Or was she in something else?Thank you