How to choose an opera...
It depends what you like! Think about what kind of films you like to see, or books you like to read. Operas fit loosely into three genres:
- Comedy
- Tragedy – may contain a little bit of (c)
- Epic – may contain a little bit of (b)
Every opera on our stages will have beautifully detailed costumes and sets. The look of each opera depends on the set and costume designers, and the era in which the production is set. We provide lots of information and images to help you see what a production looks like.
Even if you’ve never been to the opera, you’ll know many of the tunes from commercials and films. Where possible, we'll point to audio clipsso thatyou can listen to the big hit and have an idea what the music sounds like.
You can use any number of criteria to decide what to see — who is starring, how long the performanceis, what language it is sung in, what the costumes look like, what music you’ve heard, or simplywhatever appeals to you at the time.
You can also just choose an opera using our calendar, and you’re just as likely to enjoy it! If you call the box office, the team will be able to make specific recommendations.
What do I wear?
Most of us aren’t regulars on the ball circuit and don’t have a tuxedo or a fur coat stashed away to pull out for the opera. Trust us, that doesn’t matter.
It’s a whole lot of fun to get dressed up and be glamorous for a night at the opera. Where else can you wear your grandmother’s pearls or break out your wedding suit?
But it’s not mandatory. Look around the theatre and you’ll see women in co*cktail dresses, men in chinos, corporates in business suits, families in their Sunday best and tourists in whatever-they-were-wearing-that-day.
There’s no compulsory dress code. Wear what you’ll feel comfortable in. It can get cold in the theatre, so consider an extra layer. And if you're seeing a show on an outdoor stage, bring warm and weather-proof clothing!
Please avoid wearing strong fragrances in the theatre.
