Advice on opera?

I'm going to my first opera this weekend. I don't actually know anyone who's gone before so I just wondered if any of you had. I mean, I know the difference between opera and musicals, but is there anything I should remember? And do people dress up more to go to the opera? Thanks.

if you REALLY know the difference between opera and musical, i know several publishers who would like to sign you ...

i see over 30 operas a year in cities all across north america.

opera generally is a bit dressier than broadway, but you'll still see everything. partly, the level of dress depends on: (a) evening or matinee; (b) where you're sitting; and, (c) whether it's a premiere (i.e., the first night of a production).

know the story line, use the super-titles, and pay more attention to the score than you might in a musical (it's more likely to be conveying something).

oh -- and DEFINITELY have a glass of champagne at the interval!!!

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Read the synopsis beforehand.

Which opera is it? With youtube you can usually at least check out the main arias of most. I'm just (slowly, and partially thanks to a friend on here) getting into opera, but I think you'll love it.

One big difference between opera and theatre is audience behavior.

Audiences at the opera are stone quiet when the music is playing. There's no chit chat or humming. People are concentrating.

During curtain calls or even breaks in the scenes is another story. If you really like the singer or their interpretation of the aria just sung, a well-placed 'bravo' is welcomed. Audience reaction, particularly positive reaction, is audible if not downright noisy.

Also, the audience doesn't stand up and applaud because that is what they're used to doing. Standing ovations are rare. I can't remember seeing one.

On rare occasions, there may be a hearty round of "boos" at the curtain as well.

Opera audiences are more fanatical and generous and critical and discerning and wonderful.

Enjoy.

What is the work you're seeing and where?

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Thanks for all the advice! I'm seeing Aida performed by my local opera theater.

Give this a quick read:

http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/history/stories/synopsis.aspx?id=430

If you've seen the Elton John version you pretty much know what the story's about.

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Clap Yo Hands: no offsense, but that advice is highly idiosyncratic in two ways: (a) unlike opera, theater usually is presented in a language understood by the majority of its audience; and, (b) if an audience member doesn't speak the language in which an opera is being performed, s/he very well may find it frustrating not to have had a fuller background.

some people are comfortable going with the flow, others want to understand as much of the dialogue as possible -- that's a matter of personal preference, not right or wrong.

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...if an audience member doesn't speak the language in which an opera is being performed, s/he very well may find it frustrating not to have had a fuller background....

True. What's more, opera singers are taught to use diction that makes English lyrics virtually incomprehensible. There are exceptions, singers who specialize in Benjamin Britton's work and other English-language operas, but even composers and English-language librettists recognize this problem.

ClapYo'Hands summarizes Wagner's ideal of opera, but the reality is something else.

Still worth it, BTW, but knowing the synopsis in advance is usually a must.

So glad to hear you enjoyed it, bwayrose7.

And sorry about the audience. I fear Dolby sound in films and the casual nature of television viewing have ruined theatergoers.