Why haven’t you gone to the opera? • Feel free to keep it real in the comments. Is it too formal? Too expensive? • There’s obviously no shame. I’m just curious 🧐 • @niaimanifranklin
In my opinion, there's definitely some intimidating factors at play. My experience tells me that: 1) The grandeur of opera can be overwhelming 2) Most operas not being in English can be hard on some folks 3) They can be expensive and the expected dress code can be pricey too 4) The Ring Cycle
I have been to the opera (Central City Opera in Colorado) a few times, and I enjoyed it. It took a long time for me to go, because I don't pick up languages very well, and I felt intimidated. I love classical music, so I guess it's a bit weird, but the language thing held me up for a long time. I would LOVE to see you perform!!
I'm fascinated with opera for a year now and always wanted to go to an opera house. As part of my studies(I'm a university student in Germany) I need to stay in a foreign english speaking country so I chose England. Luckily I had the opportunity to travel London as well so I took the chance and I want to watch my very first opera in the royal opera house. This Wednesday(10.01.2024) sales for the Flying Dutchman will start (that's the only opera while I'm in London) and I hope I'll get a cheap ticket. My vocal teacher (opera) suggested to see operas especially the ones in the city that I'm studying in. He loved the idea that I want my first opera experience in the royal opera house and told me his magnificent experience there
I have gone multiple times, but not in over a decade. :( I still love it! i'd still like to go! But I'm limited mobility and also of limited means, so i can't do what I used to do, which was hop down to the box office whenever I was downtown (which was all the time then!) and see what student rush had going. Opera streams have made things so much easier on me.
I haven't gone to a professional opera because it's expensive. However the local college was putting on an English translation of Carmen, and I went to that and loved it.
Cost, distance, and time. I would attend more if I could! I live in a city that has a reputable opera house, but the season only runs for 2 months during the summer. I'm hoping to treat myself to a live opera at the Met someday soon. For now, I'm eager to check out the Met Live Streams. Also, I always feel a bit self conscious since I'm one of the very small group of younger people/POC in the audience.
I love the opera, and I've attended five, so far, that I've bought tickets to- I've also been a super in three, and in current rehearsals for my fourth. I always give my Final Dress comp tickets to first timers, and each has expressed that they'll be attending more.
My wife and I go a few times a year. I was a little intimidated the first time feeling I was under-dressed, but after the first time we went, I just go and don't sweat it. Yes, there were people there in tuxes, but there were also people there in t-shirts and jeans. Which...hey. Fine by me either way. I was somewhere in the middle, but probably a little closer to t-shirt and jeans. But no one was giving trouble to anyone about it, and I didn't even see anyone giving side-eye to me or others dressed more casually. It could simply be the opera we go to (Pittsburgh), but frankly the experience has been pretty good. The only thing probably stopping us from going more frequently is the cost because...well. That stuff's expensive, man.
Like I'm sure several others have said...Opera, and to a lesser degree theater, usually comes across as snobbish, stuffy, and overpriced. At least in movies and tv shows. You always see that everybody there is dressed in suits and dresses, tons of jewelry...definitely comes across as a rich person's entertainment. That alone is pretty intimidating. Then you have the fact that a vast majority of operas are not in English, that will also deter a large number of potential audience members. Not sure how you fix any of these issues necessarily though...
I took my dad to see Opéra de Montréal's 2018 production of 'Das Rheingold'. Can't recall getting any funny looks, but then I don't notice. It was a good father-daughter outing. Would probably do it again, but I feel like the OdM does not have the same level of expectations from attendees as say going to The Met does
Cost, mostly... And distance. Driving 2+ hours to see a show is a big ask for anyone who would be going with me. My partners both say they'd love to go see the show, but one is in bed by 8:30pm every night, and the other doesn't get out of bed until 3PM most days.
I will tell you why I haven't went to the opera because..... MONEY!!!. I am on thw cusp of getting my credit score right and now getting my money in my bank account after the pandemic it feelis great. I will go to the opera soon.😂😂😂
I have never liked opera, but I guess I don’t know enough about it and I’ve never seen one live. Also, I think I would be a little bit intimidated and out of place going to see one.
In my opinion, there's definitely some intimidating factors at play. My experience tells me that:
1) The grandeur of opera can be overwhelming
2) Most operas not being in English can be hard on some folks
3) They can be expensive and the expected dress code can be pricey too
4) The Ring Cycle
I have been to the opera (Central City Opera in Colorado) a few times, and I enjoyed it. It took a long time for me to go, because I don't pick up languages very well, and I felt intimidated. I love classical music, so I guess it's a bit weird, but the language thing held me up for a long time. I would LOVE to see you perform!!
I'm fascinated with opera for a year now and always wanted to go to an opera house. As part of my studies(I'm a university student in Germany) I need to stay in a foreign english speaking country so I chose England. Luckily I had the opportunity to travel London as well so I took the chance and I want to watch my very first opera in the royal opera house. This Wednesday(10.01.2024) sales for the Flying Dutchman will start (that's the only opera while I'm in London) and I hope I'll get a cheap ticket. My vocal teacher (opera) suggested to see operas especially the ones in the city that I'm studying in. He loved the idea that I want my first opera experience in the royal opera house and told me his magnificent experience there
I have gone multiple times, but not in over a decade. :( I still love it! i'd still like to go! But I'm limited mobility and also of limited means, so i can't do what I used to do, which was hop down to the box office whenever I was downtown (which was all the time then!) and see what student rush had going. Opera streams have made things so much easier on me.
I haven't gone to a professional opera because it's expensive.
However the local college was putting on an English translation of Carmen, and I went to that and loved it.
I love opera! My first opera was at the Met in NY to see Don Giovanni a little over 20 years ago .Been hooked ever since.
Cost, distance, and time. I would attend more if I could! I live in a city that has a reputable opera house, but the season only runs for 2 months during the summer. I'm hoping to treat myself to a live opera at the Met someday soon. For now, I'm eager to check out the Met Live Streams. Also, I always feel a bit self conscious since I'm one of the very small group of younger people/POC in the audience.
If anyone is intimidated, I hope they look into the Fathom Events as an easy way to give it a try.
I love the opera, and I've attended five, so far, that I've bought tickets to- I've also been a super in three, and in current rehearsals for my fourth. I always give my Final Dress comp tickets to first timers, and each has expressed that they'll be attending more.
Cost, distance, time, (depending on the) languages, expected/perceived dress codes, scheduling (matinées need to be more of a thing!).
My wife and I go a few times a year. I was a little intimidated the first time feeling I was under-dressed, but after the first time we went, I just go and don't sweat it. Yes, there were people there in tuxes, but there were also people there in t-shirts and jeans. Which...hey. Fine by me either way. I was somewhere in the middle, but probably a little closer to t-shirt and jeans. But no one was giving trouble to anyone about it, and I didn't even see anyone giving side-eye to me or others dressed more casually.
It could simply be the opera we go to (Pittsburgh), but frankly the experience has been pretty good. The only thing probably stopping us from going more frequently is the cost because...well. That stuff's expensive, man.
Like I'm sure several others have said...Opera, and to a lesser degree theater, usually comes across as snobbish, stuffy, and overpriced. At least in movies and tv shows. You always see that everybody there is dressed in suits and dresses, tons of jewelry...definitely comes across as a rich person's entertainment. That alone is pretty intimidating. Then you have the fact that a vast majority of operas are not in English, that will also deter a large number of potential audience members. Not sure how you fix any of these issues necessarily though...
I took my dad to see Opéra de Montréal's 2018 production of 'Das Rheingold'. Can't recall getting any funny looks, but then I don't notice. It was a good father-daughter outing. Would probably do it again, but I feel like the OdM does not have the same level of expectations from attendees as say going to The Met does
Cost, mostly... And distance. Driving 2+ hours to see a show is a big ask for anyone who would be going with me. My partners both say they'd love to go see the show, but one is in bed by 8:30pm every night, and the other doesn't get out of bed until 3PM most days.
I will tell you why I haven't went to the opera because..... MONEY!!!. I am on thw cusp of getting my credit score right and now getting my money in my bank account after the pandemic it feelis great. I will go to the opera soon.😂😂😂
§§... my first was "Hänsel und Gretel". Love opera, can't afford it. So, there is YT.❤
I have never liked opera, but I guess I don’t know enough about it and I’ve never seen one live. Also, I think I would be a little bit intimidated and out of place going to see one.