hktraveller

Hello,
Does anyone know if there is translation to English of opera libretto at Teatro di San Carlo in Naples?
We would like to book tickets for opera performance and want to be sure we will be able to understand.
thank you

massimop

Depends on the production. Call or e-mail the theater.

hktraveller

Thank you massimop

dwdvagamundo

I'd go for it, even if I couldn't understand. Find out the name of the production and read a plot synopsis before going. The music is the main thing with the opera anyway.

We went to see Magic Flute in Prague without having seen it before or knowing much about the plot. It was magical partly because we weren't trying to keep up with the words--just listening to the music and the singers.

dwdvagamundo

PS-the plots of many operas are sort of stupid, anyway, and you don't miss much if you don't understand.

Gwendolynn

If you know the name of the opera you can probably find the libretto on Amazon.
I've bought several that way.

hktraveller

dwdvagamundo - I agree the music is the main thing with the opera and especially when it's performed in a theater like San Carlo.
Saying that, we always prefer to attend an opera we know either plot or music and I admit seeing the opera name on the website of the theater was the first time I heard about it.
We are spoiled as we are used to translation to our language in our country but if you'll ask if there is also translation to English - shoot me - I can't remember

Gwendolynn - we are living to Italy in a month, I have to tune up our trip itinerary and we are having our holiday season, in a week and until our departure, so I really don't have much time to find the libretto and read it.
any way, I e-mailed the theater and hope I'll get an answer and I already found the opera on YouTube and read what is about.

Thank you dwdvagamundo and Gwendolynn for encouraging and advice.

Southam

Lots of tripadvisor posters say there were English surtitles. I don't trust them, not for everything. An extensive Internet wander turned up the theatre's information -- minus the translation factor. It claims to be the oldest opera house of all and looks like a great place to see (check out tours.) Having sat through a Wagner opera in Budapest (a short one, only four hours) sung in German of course and with Hungarian surtitles, I understand your concern. It was a great experience however befuddling. My suggestion is to look up the opera house's official link, which is in English, and e-mail them.

Gwendolynn

Lots of opera houses have surtitles now. I think I've read that LaScala has a system similar to the Metropolitan Opera... which is extremely easy to use. (Or not.)
At La Scala be careful of buying box seats. We had two seats in the front of a box closest to the stage. Our view was fine. But the people in the two back seats couldn't see and left. Even in center boxes the back seats can be uncomfortable.

Gwendolynn

Whoops... don't know how I came to think you were going to Scala.... Anyhow,
enjoy the music!

hktraveller

Southam - I searched thoroughly the official theater di San Carlo website and couldn't find if there are English surtitles.
However, I e-mailed them and hope they will reply.
In Budapest we were lucky to see Carmen. I remember for sure Hungarian surtitles and some how, until I read your post, I was sure there were English surtitles as well, maybe because I know pretty well Carmen as it was the third time seeing it.

Gwendolynn - It seems that at the San Carlo (as at most old opera houses in Europe) seats are pretty much the same and I have noticed the back and center seats in boxes, and already decided to buy only front seats, even in the front boxes.
It reminds me we saw "miss Ssigon" in London many years ago and we had to choose "not to see" or "not to hear" seats

Thank you Southam and Gwendolynn for your inputs.

hktraveller

And now an official answer from Teatro San Carlo, in favor of all those who might need this information some day:

we have italian and english subtitles for all our performances

laverendrye

<<It reminds me we saw "miss Ssigon" in London many years ago and we had to choose "not to see" or "not to hear" seats>>

I too attended a production of Miss Saigon many years ago and I wish that "not to hear" seats had been on offer. OTOH, a few years ago I attended an execrable production at the English National Opera of "Don Giovanni", my favourite opera, and would have greatly appreciated "not to see" seats.

dwdvagamundo

Super! Enjoy.

hktraveller

Oh, laverendrye, I can imagine how disappointing it has been.


Thank you dwdvagamundo.