Opera Attire?
Feb 18th, 2007, 04:05 PM
#41
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 5,150
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, Marge, the Met isn't the only opera house in the world, you know. Sometimes even those of us who are so provincial as to live Somewhere Else are opera subscribers.
Yes, I agree it's about the music primarily but for me it's also about the atmosphere and respect for the artists. Oh, and I know the words 'they don't care' are already forming in your mouth but I care.
I own jeans, they're good ones, and I know how to dress them up. I still wouldn't choose to wear them to the opera or the theatre. Good boots, good pants and silk shirt, yes; boots, jeans and silk shirt, yes for lots of other places but not for the opera or theatre. Not for me.
Yes, I agree it's about the music primarily but for me it's also about the atmosphere and respect for the artists. Oh, and I know the words 'they don't care' are already forming in your mouth but I care.
I own jeans, they're good ones, and I know how to dress them up. I still wouldn't choose to wear them to the opera or the theatre. Good boots, good pants and silk shirt, yes; boots, jeans and silk shirt, yes for lots of other places but not for the opera or theatre. Not for me.
Feb 18th, 2007, 05:57 PM
#42
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi hdm: I'm an Opera Australia subscriber & we have the same issue here at the Sydney Opera House. Personally, I like to wear something that reflects my respect for the artists I'm going to see and the venue in which they're performing. I've some great jeans too, but the only Opera I'd wear them to is an outdoor venue like Performances in the Park or Opera in the Vines. Not to La Scala, the Met, or any other Opera House. Nor to dinner at Eleven Madison Park or any other top line restaurant. I don't feel the need for "Tiara & Tinsel" but I enjoy the sense of occasion at one of the world's grand Opera Houses and wearing something special adds to that for me.
I did, however, in my teens, go through a period of rebellion and delighted in wearing things that resulted in "discussions" with my Mother now & again. Once I grew out of that phase, it didn't take me all that long to figure out that better dressed = better service in most places. Nor that most establishments have a fairly conservative view of dress. Unfair, unjust? Very likely. Still a fact, though.
So ... Bob .. I think your choice is great and if you were coming to the Sydney Opera House, I'd say, "Thank you for dressing in a way that salutes our wonderful Opera House and the world class performers you're going to see."
I did, however, in my teens, go through a period of rebellion and delighted in wearing things that resulted in "discussions" with my Mother now & again. Once I grew out of that phase, it didn't take me all that long to figure out that better dressed = better service in most places. Nor that most establishments have a fairly conservative view of dress. Unfair, unjust? Very likely. Still a fact, though.
So ... Bob .. I think your choice is great and if you were coming to the Sydney Opera House, I'd say, "Thank you for dressing in a way that salutes our wonderful Opera House and the world class performers you're going to see."
Feb 18th, 2007, 06:25 PM
#43
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, Bob, you got more response than you would ever have expected. But, just one more thing about the Met. Having dinner there is lovely but quite expensive for not fab food. However, having dessert during intermission is very nice. Yes, you are paying more than it's worth, but the experience is special. You do not need to order just a "sweet", I had soup and tea (I might be catching a cold) and it was worth the $20.00 plus tax plus tip IMHO. Reservations need to be made at the restaurant desk in person before the opera begins.
Feb 18th, 2007, 06:29 PM
#44
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 5,150
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Bokhara,
Outdoor venues are a whole different thing. In Toronto we have free opera concerts (also ballet) in August at an outdoor forum at the lakeshore. It's such a lovely thing to sit outdoors at the lake on a summer night and listen to all that wonderful music! It also heartens me to see how many opera fans we have here. People start getting seated at about 5 for an 8 o'clock concert and by 7 every seat is taken or saved. There are often 'words' between the late-comers and the seat-savers -- those opera fans can be quite vicious -- I guess it's all that passion and mayhem on stage!
Outdoor venues are a whole different thing. In Toronto we have free opera concerts (also ballet) in August at an outdoor forum at the lakeshore. It's such a lovely thing to sit outdoors at the lake on a summer night and listen to all that wonderful music! It also heartens me to see how many opera fans we have here. People start getting seated at about 5 for an 8 o'clock concert and by 7 every seat is taken or saved. There are often 'words' between the late-comers and the seat-savers -- those opera fans can be quite vicious -- I guess it's all that passion and mayhem on stage!
