For newcomers to classical music, it can be daunting — but not impossible — to take on a lengthy symphony or concerto for the first time. Opera, however, is often perceived as the next level of difficulty: multi-hour works with singing in foreign languages and convoluted plots that can border on impenetrable.
But not really! If you’re trying to get into opera, you, too, can grow a love for this incredible art form with a few simple and approachable steps:
1. Start with the right opera. There’s no need to dive into opera’s deep end with a 4-hour behemoth like Wagner’s “Die Walküre,” even though you might think that’s a great choice because of the famous “Ride of the Valkyries.” No, start with one of opera’s traditional warhorses. After all, there’s a reason they get performed all over the world year after year.
Puccini’s “La bohème” (pictured) or “Tosca” are excellent starter choices. Not too long or complicated, they are passionate love stories with accessible (and sometimes even funny) plots featuring big, famous arias and all the operatic drama you could hope for. The same goes for Bizet’s “Carmen” or Verdi’s “La traviata” and the darker and more complex “Rigoletto.” All of these operas are commonly performed and shouldn’t be too difficult to find on a stage or screen near you.
2. See it live. Do not, repeat do not, try to get into opera by listening to audio recordings. Opera is a visual art form as much as it is musical, and while we adore our collection of recordings, the experience is not the same. Look up your nearest opera company and see if they’re performing any of the newcomer-friendly operas in the current season. Chances are they will be.
If you don’t have an opera company within driving distance, consider attending the Metropolitan Opera’s Live in HD at a local movie theater. While not quite the same experience as being in the opera house, Live in HD is terrific for newcomers because the sound is great, the cameras focus your eyes exactly where they should be to follow the plot, and there are backstage interviews that offer insights, context, and background on the opera’s story and the production. Live in HD is offered in thousands of theaters in over 50 countries worldwide, so hopefully you can find it only a short distance away.
4. Read the synopsis beforehand. Unlike a symphony, where you can get away with not reading any program notes before taking it in, it can be helpful to read an opera’s synopsis so you have a general understanding of the storyline. Opera stories can be convoluted and confusing — not unlike a soap opera — including jumps in time or location between acts that aren’t explicitly mentioned anywhere else. We get the desire for “no spoilers,” but in opera, understanding the plot usually trumps the element of surprise.
The website for the opera company you’re attending will likely have a brief synopsis you can read before the performance, or a program will be provided as you enter the theater. (Pro tip: smart opera companies will sometimes also include the approximate length of each act, so you can time your bathroom breaks!) YouTube is also an excellent source of opera synopses, sometimes with visuals that helpfully explain who’s in love with whom, who’s dying, who’s doing the murdering, and all the other ins and outs.
5. Make it an experience. At its core, opera is a multifaceted art form — music, drama, dance, lights, visual arts, special effects, and more. The experience doesn’t have to start and stop with the rise and fall of the curtain, however. Can you bring a partner with whom you can discuss the opera in the intermissions between acts? What will you wear? Can you eat a great meal before or after the show?
The key is to make it an extraordinary memory no matter how you choose to experience it. The more positive associations you create with your first opera-going experience, the more it will be something you want to experience again and again. Above all else, have fun!
