Opera anyone?

My husband and I will be going to our first opera next Friday. I am very excited. Has anyone been before, what kind of experience did you have and what should we look forward to? Thanks so much.

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Opera is for the masses, not the just the elite, so dress comfortably and enjoy yourself. Come with an open mind (and maybe binoculars if you are far from the stage!) and try to put aside an preconceived notions of operas and opera singers.

Opera is all about telling stories through what Wagner called "Gesamtkunstwerk" which basically means "all of the arts" There is really nowhere else you will find acting, singing, possibly dance, instrumentalists, make-up, stage design/construction, lighting, art, etc... all together. It is really a culmination of the arts.

Just have fun! And people watch while you're at it!

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it will either be boring or moving.

depends on your taste in music and what opera you will be seeing. :D
My parents used to take me as a kid, so I got used to it early. Then didn't have the opportunity for a long time and for the last 10 yrs, I've made it a habit to go to the Met in NYC once a year to see a good performance of either an opera or an operetta.

I think your experience will depend on the type of opera you'll be seing, the stage production, etc. I've seen some ultra modern interpretations of classical themes or traditional settings and found the performance horrible. Other people thought it was interesting... so the bottom line is, the experience will be unique to you. It can go either way. If it turns out that you don't like this particular performance, then choose a different opera and go again. Some are clearly easier to digest than others, esp on the first visit.

Have fun! and enjoy. :-)
you will be either thoroughly entranced or terribly bored depending on your personal tastes ... research the opera so you know the plot (you don't want to be missing any stage action or emotion by reading the surtitles) and do not judge all operas by one performance ... its like TV, stage plays or movies you can't tell if you like the genre by one viewing or performance
Get there early and read the program notes so you will know the plot !!!