| First-timer’s Guide to the Opera | by Stephanie Gosdis
Ok, so I totally know what you’re thinking. "The Opera? Why would I, the ever cool and super awesome, want to bring my bad self to listen to ‘old, snooty people’ music?" Well let me tell you…Cuz it’s fly! Now, I know your next thought (It’s because I’m psychic): "Ok, So now that I know the Opera is cool like me, what do I do when I get there?" Well that’s easy! Just follow this easy step-by-step guide to an evening at the Opera down below in order to get the most pleasure out of your experience with us.
Even if you are a seasoned veteran of Utah Opera performances, it’s always a good idea to brush up on the basics!
Step 1.
Before you leave your humble abode, put on a clean shirt. Its important to look your best, so your fellow Opera-goers don’t look at you like you came from another planet (there’s no guarantee that will actually happen—but just to be safe…). You could wear jeans—no one will kick you out, but a dress/skirt is expected. Guys, no need to wear a tux (you can if you want, but it's definitely not expected). A jacket and tie will be just fine.
Step 2.
Allow yourself plenty of time (roughly 30-45 minutes before the show begins) to park/get tickets/fight traffic. For those of you familiar with downtown events, you know what I am talking about; for those who don’t, beware. It can be hell on earth.
Tip: To be on the safe side, bring a little extra cash (or change from the couch cushions) for parking.
Step 3.
Have you bought your tickets yet? If you have, great! Way to think ahead. Depending on how you bought them, you can pick them up at will call which is located around the corner from the box office. If you haven’t bought tickets, that is okay too. You can buy them at the door (even student tickets!)
Hint: If you have student tickets, be sure to have your student ID with you (two tickets per ID). Ushers will be checking them.
Step 4.
Once you get your tickets, look around and absorb the splendid beauty of the Capitol Theatre. Even the several spiral staircases are fancy. You can even check out your fine-self walking up those stairs—it’s a ‘mirror wall’. Yeah.
Step 5.
After the super-nice ushers show you where to sit, look around. The brilliant chandelier on the ceiling, surrounded by elegant (and somewhat creepy) smiling cherub faces. People reading their programs and finding their seats, all talking amongst themselves, and all anticipating the exciting performance ahead. Sometimes it’s fun to listen in on their conversations and make fun of them in your head. Go ahead. They won’t know. While you are listening in, you can pretend to read your program. Its good to know a little about the performance you are seeing before-hand, but if you don’t, there is a synopsis of the Opera so you aren’t trying to figure out what is going on while they’re singing.
Step 6.
Next, the lights will dim and the room will get quiet. Above the stage is a screen that translates what they’re singing (called supertitles), so you can fully appreciate the drama. As they sing, it is appropriate to clap after an aria (longer, beautiful solo song from any one character) and curtain call, but hold your applause otherwise. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the aural beauty that is the Opera! It’s truly amazing what the human vocal chords can accomplish.
Step 7.
During the 15-minute intermission between each act, feel free to get up, walk around, use the facilities, buy munchies, or make fun of the funny costumes that the actors (and some patrons) are wearing.
Step 8.
As the thrilling performance ends, some people will feel obligated to give a standing ovation. If you are exceptionally impressed by what you’ve heard, please join them. If not, take pride in your act of dissent as you sit while applauding. After the final curtain call, you may feel a sense of sophistication and being more culturally-aware than that of your peers, and you know what? That is okay! You should feel that way. Now you know that just because this music was written 100+ years ago, doesn’t mean that you will be bored. Congratulate yourself on becoming a smarter, more culturally-aware human being (because we could all use a few more of those in the world)!
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| Stephanie Gosdis is a marketing intern for Utah Symphony & Opera. She attended her first opera, Puccini’s Tosca, on Monday January 21, 2008. |
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