Baltimore Opera Company

Study Guide

A Beginner's Guide to Opera

At Baltimore Opera, we know that the thought of attending an opera can be intimidating for those who've never been before. With that in mind, we've compiled this guide to answer some of the more commonly asked questions…

American Idol is on! Why should I go to the opera?

Opera is the ultimate multimedia experience, embodying the best of all the performing arts. Spectacular sets, grand costumes, glorious music, heartbreaking stories-Opera has everything, and it's all done live…
Still not convinced? Well, then consider this:

Who wants to watch a fat lady in a funny helmet?

If you think it ain’t over ’til the fat lady sings, you may be sitting around long after the show’s finished and everyone’s gone home. The stereotype of a fat soprano in a horned helmet grew out of Wagnerian operas (Wagner was a late 19th century German composer and is one of the most significant figures in the development of opera), but those kinds of singers just aren’t as common today as they once were. Today’s productions demand performers who both sing well and look the part.

But I only speak English! There's no way I'll be able to figure out what's going on!

All operas at Baltimore Opera are presented in their original languages. On any given night, you might hear something in Italian, French, German, or even Czech. But no worries! All of Baltimore Opera's productions are presented with English surtitles projected above the stage. If you enjoyed "Motorcycle Diaries " or "Maria Full of Grace " (or, for that matter, "Star Wars" or "Star Trek" -- do you really speak fluent Huttese, Wookie, or Klingon?), you'll be just fine at the opera.

Still worried you won't be able to follow along? We have a few other ways to help you out:

Will a ticket purchase require a second mortgage?

Our prices are much more reasonable than you probably realize. Of course we have some pretty expensive tickets, but you can get really good seatsfor less money than you’d spend on nosebleed seats at a Ravens game.

When you think about it, opera's a bargain! Consider the combined costs of a symphony concert, a play, a ballet, and a voice recital by an international star. We give you all that in a single evening for one low price!

I seem to have misplaced my tiara. You're not going to kick me out, are you?

A common misconception about opera is that there's some kind of dress code. Lots of people love to get as dressed up as they can for an evening at the opera, but that doesn't mean you have to. The opera was once considered the perfect opportunity for everyone in town to try to out-do each other and see who could wear the most elegant clothing, but things are much more relaxed these days. Come to the opera and you're likely to see people in everything from jeans to tuxedos.

Sorry I'm late -- traffic on JFX was just awful! Can I still get in?

It would be rude to the performers and other audience members if we let people into the theater once the performance begins. If there's an appropriate musical break or scene change, latecomers may be seated at that time. If not, they will be seated at the first intermission. However, you don't have to worry about missing the first act entirely-the lobbies at the Lyric are equipped with widescreen TV monitors that broadcast the onstage performance.

When do I clap?

It's customary to applaud after the end of each aria or chorus, as well as at the end of each scene or act. If you're not sure what to do, just applaud when everyone else does. If you really enjoyed a particular segment, there are a few words you can yell to show your appreciation:

If you'd rather not have to remember all this, there's always the good ol' standing ovation to show your love. Just stand up and keep clapping!

So, were all operas written hundreds of years ago?

Not at all! The twentieth century produced more than its fair share of great operas, and new ones are being written and produced all the time. Some of the more popular ones from the last century include:

Not only were these operas written relatively recently, but all of them are in English by American composers!

What the heck's an aria?

For an extensive list of common opera terms, consult the glossary at the back of this Guide. However, here are some of the more common words opera people like to toss around:

This is all fascinating. Where can I find out more?

Well, for starters, check out www.baltimoreopera.com for information on our current season, tickets, directions, etc. If you're interested in learning more about opera, a quick web search will turn up plenty of sites to explore. If you'd like a suggestion of where to start, check out these websites:

As you can see, opera's not so scary! Why not give it a shot? Buying tickets is easy-just call our friendly box office folks at 410.727.6000. They'd be happy to answer any additional questions you have, too. Or, if you'd prefer, pop by for a visit-our box office is located in the Lyric Opera House, at 110 West Mount Royal Avenue.

-Chris Myers

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