What is Opera all about? A guide for beginners

Opera is a complex and often deeply moving type of performance art. It combines both instrumental and vocal music with art and a strong narrative, to create a powerful form of expression.  It harnesses the emotive strength of the human voice and uses it to tell stories from hundreds of years ago, which still resonate with audiences today.  Opera is essentially about communicating the thoughts, fears and emotions of the characters to the audience through the art of melody and song.

Some of the most well known operas, which are perfect for those less familiar with this kind of performance art, include Puccini’s masterpiece La Traviata and Rossini’s, The Barber of Seville.  The music of these operas is undeniably captivating and the plots are tense and thrilling.  Those who are just beginning to dip their toes into this world of music and drama are advised to attend shorter performances to begin with.

One of the most common concerns of people during their first introduction to opera is the possible language barrier. They often worry that they will be lost in regards to the story. However, this is not something to be concerned about; the emotive force of the music and body language of the performers will sweep you away before you know it.

As previously mentioned, the narrative is just one part of this art form. For those who are still worried, the theatre in which the opera is held will almost always have a narrative sheet, which will provide some basic information about the plot.  Also, it is common for many theatres to provide subtitles to foreign language operas, in the form of a digital display above the stage area. It’s best to ring the venue in advance to see whether or not this is the case for a particular performance.

Another frequently concern is the dress code for the opera. Many are put off attending by the belief that it is an extremely formal occasion, and they find the idea of ball gowns and tuxedoes intimidating. The reality is that there is no dress code for opera attendance and unless it happens to be the opening night of a special performance, most attendees will simply wear a smart, but comfortable outfit.