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New to opera? If you’re hesitant about going to your first performance, read our thoughts about the most frequently asked questions and misconceptions to dispel any lingering doubts.
 Why would anyone want to go to the opera?
Opera is a visual, aural, and emotional spectacle that electrifies all the senses. Nowhere else will you find such an extraordinary blend of glorious voices, dazzling sets and costumes, and stories that tear at your heartstrings. What makes opera so special is its use of music to express what mere dialogue cannot convey--language is lifted into another realm and the music sweeps the audience along with the poignancy, buffoonery, or triumph of the characters. A night at the opera is dramatic, it’s beautiful, and it’s a lot of fun.
Isn’t opera an antiquated art form?
 Not at all! The twentieth century produced more than its fair share of great operas, and new pieces are written and produced all the time. But even if you do go see a work that was written centuries ago, the themes of opera never grow old, and you are bound to be gripped by the timeless stories of love, laughter, intrigue and revenge. Opera transports you to the music and customs of another era, but the stories remain relevant to every generation.
I thought only stuffy old people go to the opera.
Hardly! Opera attracts audiences of over 20 million people each year, and that includes students and young professionals. Today’s youth are probably more familiar with opera than they realize, just from keeping up with pop culture: opera has been featured in movies too numerous to count, including G.I. Jane, The Fifth Element, Life is Beautiful, Apocalypse Now, The Shawshank Redemption, and The Life of David Gale. Opera has also inspired some of our favorite musicals: Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aïda is a retelling of Verdi’s opera by the same name, Miss Saigon is based on Puccini’s Madama Butterfly and the smash hit Rent is based on La bohème, also by Puccini.
Will I understand what is going on?
 Thanks to surtitles that project English translations on screens beside the stage, you should have no trouble following along while enjoying the beauty of the original language. Plus, you can read the synopsis in the program before the opera begins, or for more detailed insight you can look at BLO’s Study Guide online, complete with program notes, a biography of the composer, and discussion questions. We also offer free pre-opera talks one hour before each performance as a “sneak peak” into the upcoming show.
But how will I afford to pay for tickets?
Opera tickets are comparable to the prices of other live entertainment and may be more affordable than you realize. Single tickets to Boston Lyric Opera start as low as $33 and subscriptions start at just $93. If this burns too much of a hole in your wallet, check to see if you are eligible for any of our discounts, such as half-price student tickets or group discounts.
I’m not sure how to act at the opera…is there some sort of opera etiquette I need to know?
There are no secret rituals involved--just show your respect for the performers and other audience members as you would at any type of performance. It’s customary to clap after an aria and at the end of each act, but if you’re unsure of when to applaud, just clap when everyone else does. If you really want to show your appreciation, you can yell “Bravo” for a male singer, “Brava” for a female singer, or “Bravi” for the whole lot of them.
 What should I wear?
No need to bring out your ball gown and tiara—although you certainly can get as dressed up as you like! While the opera was once a place to parade your finery, nowadays people dress in whatever they feel most comfortable, so please don’t feel pressure to dress in a certain way. If you’re still unsure, dressing in professional attire is always a safe bet.
What if I’m late?
 Latecomers will be seated when there is an appropriate seating break. But you can still follow along while you’re waiting--a closed-circuit TV monitor is available in the lobby of the Shubert Theatre to watch the performance while patrons wait for the late seating break. In order to plan your trip, check out the directions and parking information on our website.
This is all fascinating. Where can I learn more?
 There are plenty of ways to get started. You can start with our own Resources web page or try the following websites for helpful information:
Thanks to Baltimore Opera, Indianapolis Opera, and Atlanta Opera for their contributions to this guide.
Continue Reading...
The Elements of Opera...
The Creators...
The Interpreters...
The Performers...
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