How to Prepare for the Opera
To someone who has never been, the thought of going to the opera might loom over you ominously. However, with a little preparation, anyone’s night at the opera can turn out to be an exciting and rewarding experience
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Instructions
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Give some thought to what you will wear, but not too much thought. These days you will see people seriously dressed up and seriously dressed down for an evening at the opera. Don’t be surprised if the man to your left is wearing a tux and the man to your right is wearing a sweatshirt and a baseball cap. To be safe, take the middle road. For men, a dress shirt and pressed pants will do just fine while for women, a skirt or slacks with a coordinated top is appropriate. If you like to dress up, however, don’t be afraid to go for it.
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Read the story of the opera. Every opera is a tale with characters and a beginning, middle and end. You will enjoy the evening much more if you know what the story is all about—even if it is to be sung in English. Check out a book from the library or go to the Metropolitan Opera’s terrific site (see Resources). Make yourself familiar with the characters and read all about the action. If you don’t want to know how the opera will end, however, because you like the idea of leaving something for a surprise, stop reading after you’ve covered the first two acts.
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Call the theater where the opera will be performed (or go to their website) and ask if there are any pre-concert lectures planned. These are sometimes held immediately before the production, although this tends to make for a long evening. Other pre-concert lectures are held in other venues (such as libraries) a week or so before the performance.
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Learn a little history. Find out a little bit about the composer and the years in which he or she wrote operas. Also find out something about the times in which the opera is supposed to take place. This doesn’t have to be in-depth information, but it is helpful to know that the opera is supposed to be taking place in ancient Egypt or about the time of the voyages of Columbus, for example.
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Learn the basics of audience behavior at an opera. You will be expected to be in your seat before the opera begins; if you are not, in some theaters and for some operas, you will not be seated until after the first scene. Take your cue from audience members about when to applaud; don’t be surprised to hear shouts of “Bravo” from audience members after an aria or to see opera singers come on stage for a “curtain call” in the middle of a scene. Of course you will keep in mind that you should not take photos, crinkle candy wrappers, leave your cell phone turned on, or make audible comments. After the opera, wait to leave until all of the curtain calls at the end of the opera are completed.
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