I’m going to the Friday evening show. A friend of mine who is also going said that most people wear business casual. Some are fancier. There must be at least a couple of jackasses like me being super casual. I’ll probably dress up not to be a jerk.
If, as it appears, it’s going to be in French (and you don’t happen to speak fluent French), it may be worth considering reading a bit in advance. IME, opera is an entirely different experience if I have some idea what they’re on about 
The Kennedy Center: A quick overview of Donizetti’s 1840 comic opera
The non-arias are done in English for this production. The arias are in the original French with English subtitles projected on a screen somehow.
I always thought those should include a meal and drink service in the price of the ticket, like they do for international flights.
One other little nugget to secrete away (16sec):
The Saratoga Performing Arts Center near me used to have opera in the summer. We’s get season lawn tickets (it’s in a natural amphitheater). I became a fan when they did Lucia di Lammermoor.
It’s based upon a Sir Walter Scott novel. As I was watching it, I realized the leading lady was white, her brother was Black, it was set in Scotland, and they were singing everything – in Italian.
I loved the incongruity of it all. Who needs realism? Just enjoy.
I have been very interested in Norse mythology since literally before I could read. It was the utter failure of Wagner’s Ring saga to interest me that finally convinced me I was not into opera..In case anybody doesn’t know- The story of the Niebelung is largely what Tolkien based the main plot of Lord Of The Rings on. So when I sat down to watch it, I was very excited and interested. I am NOT saying opera is bad. I am just saying that was the day I knew opera was not for me. Gil Kane illustrated a comic book miniseries based on Wagner;s opera. That, I did like.
I don’t think that’s right. A comic opera is one that mixes singing and speaking parts. In any case, this opera is in French, which of course is a romance language.
I like opera in a kinda sorta way. There will probably be English subtitles (or supertitles actually). My only advice is to read the libretto in advance or at least a synopsis of it, and just use the titles to get your bearings once in awhile. That way you can focus on the music, singing, costumes, etc. If you are reading the subtitles to understand the story, you will find it painfully slow moving.
According to the theater website, they’re doing supertitles, so they’re projected on a narrow screen above the top of the stage.
I’m a casual opera fan, not a huge fan, and I’ve seen around 10 operas, but not this one. The best way to prepare is what you’re doing, becoming familiar with the basics of the plot, characters, and musical style. The Kennedy Center link has a video of a great tenor who seemingly effortlessly nails all the high Cs in his aria.
The theater website classifies the opera as a romantic comedy, and it does sound like a rom-com.
As for clothes, over the years theatergoers have become more and more casual, but you’ll probably be more comfortable making a bit of an effort and going business casual rather than just a t-shirt.
Enjoy, and let us know how it goes!
I could be misremembering. This is from an art appreciation class I took in college roughly three decades ago. It was in that class that I learned I hate ballet as well. I cannot remember the professor’s name. He taught with infectious enthusiasm.
I saw my first opera a while back - appropriately at the Sydney Opera House. I had a free night, and the opera “Carmen” was the only event playing there in which I had any interest. At least it was in French, so I could follow it a bit without having to look at the English titles displayed above the stage. It had some familiar music, and the costuming and staging was incredible.
I doubt I would go again - unless I was with someone who was a real fan.
Sing along at 1m15s: March of the Toreadors from Carmen by Bizet - The Folsom Symphony
“Oh Theodore-a, don’t spit on the floor-a
Use the cuspidor-a, that’s what it’s a for-a.”
I have been to a few things at the Sydney Opera House and have really enjoyed the Sunday afternoon sessions. They consist of cast members of the Australian Opera doing greatest hits arias. As for actual operas I have found them, although great fun as a spectacle, to largely be like those albums that you used to buy because of one great song and it turned out that you had bought a great single with some other songs.
We haven’t been to the Opera since 2008 (kid happened). But we had a “subscription” to the opera company nearest us for the 13 years before that (four different “big cities”) My wife was the fan, I’m the uncultured boor. I enjoyed the spectacle of the sets and costumes in Atlanta. In performances that were all about the music and singing, I was mostly bored.
Dress code went from minimum business suit (but most gentlemen in tuxedo or white tie) to unspecified (most men in business suits, never saw anyone in an open collar shirt) in the time we attended.
But now it seems “Tattoos, piercings, shorts, tank tops, and open-toed shoes are all acceptable.” though from the pictures I see online most people are still dressed up by today’s standards (business suit, jacket over polos, though few ties in sight).
My wife is talking about dipping her toe in again.
La Fille du Régiment gives the cast and director plenty of opportunities for fairly broad comedy, and some vocal fireworks - the lead tenor has one with nine (count 'em) high Cs, so the regular fans will be looking out for that.
Here’s about a successful London production:
Enjoy
Should be an enjoyable evening with friends.
Opera singer here. A few thoughts.
Don’t let recordings of opera singing put you off. Opera singing sounds the way it does because it developed in a world without amplification, and needs to be heard, without microphones, over an orchestra. The resultant overtones and resonances can be overwhelming in a small space or over speakers, but won’t have the same piercing quality in a larger space (especially one filled with people).
Don’t stress about dress code. Don’t dress like a slob, but nice jeans and a clean t-shirt are fine. You might feel underdressed compared to some others around you, so if that bothers you wear khakis and polo or something. You don’t need to wear a suit. Tuxes are only for things like opening night at The Met.
It’s really not. Tolkien drew from a variety of sources, some of which also influenced Wagner, but the Ring Cycle itself was not one of them. Other than a magic ring, the plots bear little resemblance to each other.
Fair enough. I should have phrased that differently.
Tolkien said that the only similarity between his ring and Wagner’s ring is that they are both round. But he was overstating this a bit because of his dislike of Wagner; both works have magic rings that enslave the owner’s will, a riddle contest, a broken weapon preserved for its heir, and other motifs in common.
But no drums/space in the second set, so plan your bathroom visits accordingly.
I’m not a fan except, as someone mentioned, I love the Bugs Bunny cartoon Rabbit of Seville and I want to experience a classic comedy.
I technically went to my first opera last fall, but in May I have tickets to see Falstaff at a big venue so it feels like it will be my first one.
So I’m glad you started this thread since it seems so far away but May will really be here fast, I’m sure.
I need to read/listen to prepare!
I’ve been to three operas in my life. Gorgeous staging, great music. Don’t try to understand the lyrics, even if they’re in English.
My advice: Read at least a synopsis of the opera beforehand so you know what’s going on. Read the libretto if you can, and learn something about the music. Maybe listen to highlights from the opera. It helps enormously.
Don’t try to sit in the seat in box 5, and absolutely do not try to take his mask off. This can result in the chandelier falling down.