Anyone interested in Opera? I need some help...

[RSK]

I'm new to the Opera scene. I've never been, but I'm going to see Aida soon. I'm not sure what language it's in. I'm pretty sure it won't be English, even if it was, is it even possible to understand what they say? Doesn't matter, because it's definitely not English.

Is it important to know the words? Or is it more about the singing, and expressions of singing/voice that tell the story? Should I browse the story before going? What should I wear. I'm also going with a bunch of newbies like me. We're all lost.

How's everyone doing by the way? Can't wait till this year is over, I need to get my regular dose of LF like before!

[misombra]

aida is in italian. you should dress nice. not a suit or anything fancy, just nice. you won't have to know what they're saying. have fun!

[IndiReloaded]

aida is in italian. you should dress nice. not a suit or anything fancy, just nice. you won't have to know what they're saying. have fun!

Si, Verdi was Italian. Its a good opera, but pretty heavy for a first time. I think you'll appreciate the set more than the singing. If you hate it, BTW (not saying you will, just in case), don't judge Aida (or ones like La Boehme) as the standard. I would have recommended something a lot lighter for a first opera, Marriage of Figaro or Cosi Fan Tutte.

You don't have to know the words (there are often digital surtitle boxes in the theatre anyway). But it helps to know the story to pick up on subtle humour (isn't much in Aida tho).

The Met has wonderful synopses of the world operas they perform (which is most of them):

[url]http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/history/stories/index.aspx[/url]

I'm sure you can also look up details about a particular opera on wiki, also.

Enjoy!

[squirrley]

You know whose a great singer to get into as an intro, is Andre Boccellie. He is absalutely amazing. Hes blind, but his voice is Gods Gift. He's Italian and does some english and italian. WOW he blows my mind, almost to the point of tears.

Opera is in the inner self. Its very intense. The little booklets they give you for the program will help you to understand what's being sung and the story line. Even if you dont understand what's being sung, the words, the story is whats important, of course with the talent on stage too.

You'll have a great time! Its an appreciation of the arts for sure!

[vashti]

I have seen several productions, but don't really know much about the opera. My rabbi's daughter and her husband run an opera company, and they have used my daughter in their productions a couple of times. I think it helps to read a brief summary of the story you are seeing. As for the ones I've seen, they have all been about love and loss, which are spoken in the universal language. You need not speak Italian to understand. I think you will really enjoy it. (I do.)

[Gigabitch]

You should definitely become familiar with the story beforehand, but you really don't need to know what they're saying to enjoy the experience. The opera house here has electronic librettos on the back of the seats, so you can keep up with what's being said if you like, but I often ignore that and just get caught up in the emotion of the performance.