Many people don’t understand opera. They have never
seen or heard opera. They just aren’t that interested.
If any of these people ever see an opera, they almost
always change their mind. Attending an opera
performance is an unforgettable experience.
Most operas are performed in elegant indoor theaters.
These buildings are often very old and are beautiful. In
many ways, they are like museums because works of
art are presented in the building.
You can think of an opera as a dramatic movie that is
being performed live and not presented electronically.
For hundreds of years before there were movies, operas
were the best way for people to enjoy drama and music
When an opera is performed in a theater, the sounds
and sights are spectacular. The building is designed to
allow the audience to hear all the music and sung words.
The scenery and props give you the sense that you are
right there on stage with the actors.
Outdoor opera is a different experience. Almost
always, the place where the opera is staged is beautiful.
Sometimes these operas take place in historic ruins, like
the Roman Forum. The Santa Fe Opera in New Mexico is
at the edge of the Rocky Mountains in the high desert.
The production usually starts around sunset, which is
When people go to the movies, they don’t like to know
ahead of time what will happen. With opera, just the
opposite is true. Almost everyone knows the story of the
opera by heart. They often hum along with the music,
and they know exactly when the big dramatic moments
will occur. They are opera lovers.