Art Chowder September | October 2017, Issue 11 | Page 53

How to Enjoy
Your First Opera:

u Read the plot of the opera so you can follow the story better.
www.metopera.org/Discover/Synopses/Carmen
u Find out if there will be supertitles projected above the the-
ater stage, to follow along with the story.
u Remember that the music in opera drives the emotions of the
story, so listen carefully and enjoy the orchestra.

u Listen to a couple of music selections from the opera ahead of
time. www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2snTkaD64U
u Immerse yourself in the visuals— enjoy
the sets and cos-
tumes—they are a big part of the experience.
u Don’t be late. Unlike movies or sports events, you can’t en-
ter or exit an opera auditorium once the performance has
begun. If you miss the curtain because of traffic, you can
take in a live feed of the performance on television mon-
itors in the lobby. Latecomers then take their seats at a
suitable interval—usually intermission.
u Share your enthusiasm! Feel
free to applaud, whistle, yell
“Woo-hoo!”, or shout out “Bravo!” when a musician does
something you love. Enthusiastic displays of appreciation
are always welcome, although it’s customary to wait for
an appropriate opportunity, such as the end of an aria. Be
courteous.
u Stay quiet.
Opera is unamplified. The voices you hear are
created by the singers all by themselves, that’s why they’re
so precious. Also, some of the most dramatic moments in
opera are the quietest. Also for the benefit of the artists
and audience members, please turn off your phone, and re-
frain from talking or whispering, even during the overture.
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