Attending an opera for the first time...

[Mote]

My boyfriend is taking me to see La Boheme on Saturday. I'm really excited as it'll be my first opera experience. Can you gals (and guys, what did your dates wear?) recommend what to wear? Traditionally, do people still wear long gowns and get their hair all did and whatnot? I love to dress up, but I don't want to be the only tool dressed to the nines. Advice much appreciated.

My personal experience (I've been a few times, and my sister works for the Dallas Opera) is that you should definitely dress up for the opera - usually a dress for women and suit or sports coat for the men. Last one I attended, at least 90% of the people were dressed formally, but there was still one guy that decided shorts and tennis shoes were appropriate.

I would not have wanted to be that guy.

[Callisto]

I recall being distinctly disappointed at the people who didn't dress up at the ones I've been to.

[Mote]

Oh and La Boheme is one of the most accessible operas for a first-time attendee. I'm sure you'll have a fantastic time.

(It inspired the musical Rent, etc).

[Callisto]

It's kind of a weird option in my experiences, foreign-language operas can be difficult to keep up with, but English ones are awkward and borderline awful at times. A lot like anime dubs, I guess.

[Mote]

what was weird was the last one I saw live was based on the book/movie Dead Man Walking (in English), and the first scene had a guy and girl naked on stage.

[Mote]

unexpected.

[Rhyis.]

You must buy your boyfriend a top hat and monocle as those are requirements for any opera.

If I ever went to an opera this is how I'd roll. Go completely overboard and ridiculous as possible.

[Ddz]

Thanks for the input. I don't know Italian, but I think there are subtitles and an interactive aspect to this particular performance.

[Callisto]

There's generally both subtitles on projector screens and sometimes a transcript in the little program they give you when you walk in.

[bluefan]

Thank God I'm not the only hockey fan here to attend an opera.

Attended a Nutcracker one a few years ago. I fit in just fine with my cheap suit and tie.

[Firedemon]

Look up midway through, and see if there's a purple octopus getting ready push a weight down.

[Byrthnoth]

The Nutcracker is ballet, not opera.

If the singers are good, you don't really need to understand what they're saying to get the impression of what's going on and not knowing the language doesn't really lessen your appreciation of it. Opera plots are generally either mundane or so totally convoluted that they're ridiculous/nonsensical, so not understanding the exact words isn't much of a loss. Opera singers can convey their feelings even if you can't understand the words, so you'll be able to follow along with the basic plot if you wikipedia it beforehand. It's particularly important to note who the characters are in the opening scenes so that you assign the correct person to the correct face/costume.

More than anything, you'll probably leave the opera impressed at the singers' voices. I know that's almost always my take-away.

[bluefan]

True, but the one I went to had an opera singer, so close enough lol.

[Callisto]

Look up midway through, and see if there's a purple octopus getting ready push a weight down.

Happens every. single. time.

[Ddz]

Look up midway through, and see if there's a purple octopus getting ready push a weight down.

Haha I just finally played through that game for the first time recently >.>

[Ddz]

Thank God I'm not the only hockey fan here to attend an opera.

Rest assured, my boyfriend is also a hockey fan and player! You're not alone.

[bluefan]

Rest assured, my boyfriend is also a hockey fan and player! You're not alone.

BG sponsors a hockey themed opera night.

Lets do it!

[Callisto]

Rest assured, my boyfriend is also a hockey fan and player! You're not alone.

all the tuff guys are doing it

[Ddz]

Sorry for little blurriness. How did I do?

[AidenCarby]

Very classy