I'm at the opera, doncha know (Candide)

[Dillinger4]

Does anyone know if I'd have to wear a dress to go and see a decent ballet?

Me and Vintage Paw went to the ballet just wearing what we normally wear.

Although, this was during the day, and not very high class ballet.

I did used to put a shirt on when I went to evening/more classy ones, but it was only because I was going out for a meal/drink before or something.

 

[Pip]

Me and Vintage Paw went to the ballet just wearing what we normally wear.

Although, this was during the day, and not very high class ballet.

I did used to put a shirt on when I went to evening/more classy ones, but it was only because I was going out for a meal/drink before or something.

Hmm. I'm not adverse to wearing a frock, I think I'll play it safe.

 

[Dillinger4]

Hmm. I'm not adverse to wearing a frock, I think I'll play it safe.

You should just make the most of it and be fabulous.

Even more so.

 

[Pip]

You should just make the most of it and be fabulous.

Even more so.

I'm aaalways fabulous, darling *clicks fingers*

 

[FridgeMagnet]

They don't have bouncers you know. Some people do dress up a bit of an evening, but I never have.

I'm sure that untethered can advise you on the precise protocol.

 

[TheHoodedClaw]

Does anyone know if I'd have to wear a dress to go and see a decent ballet?

Nah, just turn up. Nobody will care.

 

[editor]

but not good enough to stop you posting on here during the performance, eh?

It was during the break when I was waiting for Eme to secure me some lovely half-time ice cream.

Why on earth have you got your laptop at a theatre?

Palm Centro phone innit.

I enjoyed that. The sets were absolutely incredible - really, really clever and imaginative - and it was well acted, the signing wasn't too screechy and the story even got a bit right on at the end. Top fun! We saw the afternoon matinee, so there wasn't any dressing up going on.

It was great hearing a proper orchestra and seeing such a large ensemble on stage - there must have been something like 50 actors involved.

They go ballistic if you try and take pictures of the venue, but I sneaked a phone cam pic during the break. I'll post it later.

 

[mrsfran]

I'm going to see that production of Candide next week, glad to know it's good.

 

[DexterTCN]

They don't have bouncers you know.

No. Apparently the do have one hell of a fat lady, though.

When she says it's over, it's over.

 

[Dillinger4]

I'm aaalways fabulous, darling *clicks fingers*

You are a triple threat.

 

[editor]

Some snatched photos from the Colosseum today. It's a beautiful theatre.

 

[Lea]

I went to see Madame Butterfly a few months ago at the ENO. It was a fantastic production. Very colourful.

 

[butterfly child]

As long as the customers wear something, no-one cares anymore.

They certainly wouldn 't let you into ROH naked, you might stain the seats or something.

We haven't been to an opera for a while - economy drive, innit, and I won't sit in the cheap seats.

 

[mentalchik]

Some snatched photos from the Colosseum today. It's a beautiful theatre.

Aww, that brings back some very happy childhood memories !

Got taken there a lot to see opera and ballet by a much loved and missed relative when i was a kid !

 

[Woollyredhat]

You can take pictures huh? Or is it on the lowdown?

 

[Elvis Parsley]

stepson did his work experience there last year, had a great time by all accounts

he got to stand up in the scenery/lighting rig above the stage during a performance. lucky sod

 

[editor]

You can take pictures huh? Or is it on the lowdown?

You can't. Strictly verboten.

 

[Miss Potter]

I went to see Madame Butterfly at the Royal Albert Hall last year and fell asleep

Doubt I'd go to another one but it's a box ticked I guess

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

What's with that giant tv?

 

[Nougat]

I still blag student tickets for ROH Standby (18months on!) and these are really good deals. Caught ARIADNE AUF NAXOS last month. Always tell myself I will dress up the 'next time' but I still normally end up in Covent Garden in Jeans and plims - granted the denim is J Brand and the plimsoles are Peter Jensen but still way too casual

 

[Crispy]

I went once. Marriage of Figaro. Incredible sets, costumes, lights. Great music. Shame about the fuckin awful warbly singing that completely ruined that music Seriously, it's just not a pleasant noise.

 

[Guineveretoo]

I go and see opera quite a lot, and mostly I love it. I even enjoy Glyndebourne, although I am not going this year, because they sold out of the cheapest tickets, and I am really skint at the moment.

The ENO does not have a dress policy, and even the Royal Opera House is less sniffy than it was, although most people there do dress up.

Next week, I am going to an opera I really won't enjoy, because it is Wagner, and has no interval, and I am dreading it! Am only going because my father needs the help with my mother.

There are some fabulous touring operas, too, so everyone should be able to see a decent production every now and then.

 

[Guineveretoo]

I went once. Marriage of Figaro. Incredible sets, costumes, lights. Great music. Shame about the fuckin awful warbly singing that completely ruined that music Seriously, it's just not a pleasant noise.

This is one of my favourite operas!

 

[dessiato]

I really like Cosi Fan Tutti and Salome, I love ballet and modern dance. In Portugal I am not able to go very often, so am looking forward to getting to see some while on holiday in UK.

 

[Guineveretoo]

I like Cosi Fan Tutti, but the story is a bit naff. The Marriage of Figaro has got the advantage of a good story behind it (and one that I did at school, as well, so I know some of the background to it, although it was simplified when turned into an opera, and they lost a lot of the political stuff in order not to offend the patron who was some king or other who was paying Mozart's wages).

 

[Crispy]

This is one of my favourite operas!

Yep, the music was great. The story (what I grasped of it) was good fun. It's just that singing style. It grates on my nerves. I think I'd prefer it if they sang naturally and used amplification to project the sound.

 

[Guineveretoo]

Yep, the music was great. The story (what I grasped of it) was good fun. It's just that singing style. It grates on my nerves. I think I'd prefer it if they sang naturally and used amplification to project the sound.

Part of what I love about the opera is the singing, though!

Not all opera, admittedly, but the Marriage of Figaro has got such lovely songs in it. I have got the overture in my head right now - where Figaro is measuring the bridal suite to make sure the bed will fit!

 

[Guineveretoo]

The Magic Flute is in a different class, though. It's a seriously weird story, which I don't think I even approve of, since it is all about rescuing princesses and becoming a freemason, but it has got some fabulous, lighthearted songs in it (Papagino), and also some songs which, if sung well, can make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up with the purity and beauty of the human voice as an interest (the Queen of the Night arias). In fact, on the latter, Mozart just puts the music in without even caring whether there is a word there. The Queen of the Night hits one of the highest notes you will hear in Opera whilst actually saying "oh", but for about a minute

In the Papagino song, they repeat the words "papagino" and "papagina" over and over again, when they are debating how many children they are going to have and which will be boys and which girls. It's funny, it's sweet and it's light hearted. And anyone can sing along to it, unlike the Queen of the Night aria!

 

[Ms T]

I really got into opera and ballet when I lived in Moscow, where it wasn't a posh thing to do at all, everyone went and it was really cheap. My first opera was Tosca at the Bolshoi and I was totally blown away by it and cried at the end.

My favourite ballet is Romeo and Juliet - saw an amazing production by the Moscow State Ballet which was incredibly athletic and the music is wonderful. Not keen on Gisele though, which I saw about three times for some reason.

That production of Candide has divided the critics, I think. I wonder if there are any tickets left....