# Is it worth it to see operas on DVD? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 15, 2006, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-see-operas-on-dvd/360831 "2006-06-15T17:50:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2006, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-see-operas-on-dvd/360831/1 "2006-06-15T17:50:39Z")
I’m going to come out sounding like such an uncultured little person here, but I have never seen an opera. Ever. But I do want to. The library has DVD copies of _Il Trovadore_ and a few other things. I’ve wanted to see Il Trovadore for a long time. I almost grabbed it but I thought maybe I’d better ask here…are DVD operas worth it? It seems like a decent way to introduce myself to the genre, but I’m pretty ignorant about the whole thing. Will I even enjoy it? I don’t understand a word of Italian, which I think most of them are in??? Any advice will be appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2006, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-see-operas-on-dvd/360831/2 "2006-06-15T17:53:52Z")
I saw Wagner’s _Ring_ on television. Seeing my favorite operas in the small screen was great; I’m sure seeing them live would be fantastic. ---
**Author:** ![Ensign\_Edison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ab992/32.png) [@Ensign\_Edison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ensign_Edison)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2006, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-see-operas-on-dvd/360831/3 "2006-06-15T17:59:17Z")
One of the things I love about this place is that I can see a question that had never even begun to occur to me before, and realize that I want to know the answer too. 🙂 So I’m sorry I have nothing to add, except that my only exposure to opera was on old vinyl, and I enjoyed that, at least. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2006, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-see-operas-on-dvd/360831/4 "2006-06-15T18:00:21Z")
It’s a bit like seeing things on TV or on a movie instead of seeing things at a live theatre. There’s nothing equal to the live experience, but by cutting and editing they can give you a more perfect version of the opera on DVD, including close-ups that you can’t get in live performances without sitting in the front row. Plus, you can see the very best singers and opera companies, that cost a fortune to see in real life. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2006, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-see-operas-on-dvd/360831/5 "2006-06-15T18:01:19Z")
All it’s going to cost you is a few hours of your time, right? Check it out. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2006, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-see-operas-on-dvd/360831/6 "2006-06-15T18:06:03Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Will I even enjoy it? I don’t understand a word of Italian, which I think most of them are in??? You’ll most likely have the DVD option of English subtitles. Since you’re new to opera, try to see _The Marriage of Figaro_ (_Le Nozze di Figaro_ in Italian) by Mozart. It’s a good “starter” opera, with lots of great, accessible tunes, and an amusing plot. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2006, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-see-operas-on-dvd/360831/7 "2006-06-15T18:11:56Z")
> [@ultrafilter](#): > > All it’s going to cost you is a few hours of your time, right? Check it out. I just didn’t want to burn myself on the genre. You know, hate it on DVD and end up hating it IRL. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2006, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-see-operas-on-dvd/360831/8 "2006-06-15T18:23:23Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > I just didn’t want to burn myself on the genre. You know, hate it on DVD and end up hating it IRL. If you are destined to like live opera, you won’t hate it on DVD. Instead, it’s a very cheap way of getting to like it, by learning about it without paying the high prices that you pay for live opera. (Especially since for most of us that includes transportation to another city to see the very best opera companies.) ---
**Author:** ![Siege](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2006, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-see-operas-on-dvd/360831/9 "2006-06-15T18:33:38Z")
Actually, I’ve been wondering the same thing, especially since the gentleman in my life _hates_ opera, while I rather like it. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2006, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-see-operas-on-dvd/360831/10 "2006-06-15T18:36:03Z")
All right. I’ll get Il Trovadore and start with that. I’ll report back and tell you guys how it is. But please, if more people have more input, let me know! Especially recommendations. 🙂 Also, slightly off-topic I signed up to watch Pirates of Penzance next weekend at the library. Forgot they did cool stuff like that. In other, less high-brow news, watching Cars tonight! ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2006, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-see-operas-on-dvd/360831/11 "2006-06-15T18:37:25Z")
For me, the only question is: How is your set-up? If your DVD player is connected to a decent stereo, by all means. If you’ve got a $45 player connected via RF modulator to a 19" mono television, don’t bother. I’ve got Julia Migenes’ _Carmen_, which is pretty spectacular and has some cinematic touches that make it even more enjoyable (for me) than a straight stage production – but I wouldn’t bother with it if it wasn’t going to fill my eyes and rumble my guts. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2006, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-see-operas-on-dvd/360831/12 "2006-06-15T18:41:04Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#): > > For me, the only question is: How is your set-up? > > If your DVD player is connected to a decent stereo, by all means. > > If you’ve got a $45 player connected via RF modulator to a 19" mono television, don’t bother. > > I’ve got Julia Migenes’ _Carmen_, which is pretty spectacular and has some cinematic touches that make it even more enjoyable (for me) than a straight stage production – but I wouldn’t bother with it if it wasn’t going to fill my eyes and rumble my guts. I only have a 23 inch TV (I think) but it’s a good TV. And we have a receiver and a great stereo system hooked up to it. So we have great sound. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2006, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-see-operas-on-dvd/360831/13 "2006-06-15T18:43:58Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > So we have great sound. That’s the main thing, 'natch. Jump in! ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2006, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-see-operas-on-dvd/360831/14 "2006-06-15T18:50:42Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Especially recommendations. 🙂 [The Essential Music Library: Opera and Choral Music](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=343551). ---
**Author:** ![Plynck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Plynck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plynck)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2006, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-see-operas-on-dvd/360831/15 "2006-06-15T19:30:14Z")
Gee, I don’t know; if you watch opera and like it, you run the risk of getting the gay. Maybe that’s just for guys, though, but I’m not sure I’d take that chance… Seriously, **Anaamika** , what do you stand to lose except a few hours? And you stand to gain a new passion. The advantage to watching them on DVD rather than listening to _Live at the Met_ is that the visual interest will carry you through some of the longer, less lyrical passages when your mind might otherwise wander. You may want to start with Italian or French operas at first; German and Russian operas (to my mind) take a little more concentration and determination. But definitely take that first step - it will be the first part of a wonderfully slippery slope. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2006, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-see-operas-on-dvd/360831/16 "2006-06-15T19:39:50Z")
> [@Plynck](#): > > Gee, I don’t know; if you watch opera and like it, you run the risk of getting the gay. Maybe that’s just for guys, though, but I’m not sure I’d take that chance… Really? And here I thought it was caused by biking. 😃 Of course I’ll try it! I’m looking forward to it, actually. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2006, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-see-operas-on-dvd/360831/17 "2006-06-15T20:02:25Z")
Opera on DVD can be a lot of fun. Of course some are better productions than others, but those that make it to DVD are usually prettty good. On the whole, a great way to learn opera, especially if you live far from a major oopera house. ---
**Author:** ![Jaledin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jaledin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaledin)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2006, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-see-operas-on-dvd/360831/18 "2006-06-15T20:26:02Z")
> [@Plynck](#): > > The advantage to watching them on DVD rather than listening to _Live at the Met_ is that the visual interest will carry you through some of the longer, less lyrical passages when your mind might otherwise wander. I agree that this is a powerful argument for hunting down filmed or taped performances. However, Gesamtkunstwerk be damned, I find it’s often easier to enjoy an opera that is new to me by simply listening to a recording, and following along with the book. It can be slightly annoying to have certain odd visual choices imprinted on one’s brain when it’s a question of a perfectly good piece of music. I suppose it comes down to what one is after in the experience, and how much patience one can conjure up for the occasionally “interesting” performance, whether it’s video or audio. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2006, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-see-operas-on-dvd/360831/19 "2006-06-15T20:47:52Z")
If it’s your first opera experience, and if you don’t speak the language (or even if it isn’t and you do), read up on the plot before watching. There are probably liner notes with the dvd, unless someone’s stolen them. Even though I’ve been to tons of opera performances over the decades, I still don’t like to go in cold, without any idea of what’s going on. Especially with subtitles, you might find yourself concentrating on them so much that you miss the music. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2006, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-see-operas-on-dvd/360831/20 "2006-06-15T21:45:16Z")
All of the above. Plus, be prepared to experiment. Il Trovatore may not do it for you. You might find that Wagner, or Gluck, or Britten, or Rossini, or whoever, might be your thing. And in the meantime, have fun exploring 🙂 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-see-operas-on-dvd/360831.md?page=2)