OPERA HOUSE DO'S AND DON'TS
When you come to the Civic Opera House for a Student Matinee, please:
DO:
- clap at the end of arias (solos) and ensembles and shout "BRAVO!" at the end of the opera if you liked what you saw and heard. The singers and musicians on stage and in the pit will really appreciate your support!
- dress up in your finest! It's fun to make your afternoon at the opera an "occasion"--many of your peers will do the same.
- write the Lyric Opera Education Department afterwards and tell us what you thought. We need your positive feedback for our funders, and we need your suggestions so we can continue to improve the program.
- take advantage of the free study materials included with your tickets and get to know a bit about the opera beforehand. The more familiar you are with the story, background, and music, the more you'll enjoy the show. It's especially fun if you can get a recording and play it ahead of time frequently enough that you recognize the tunes (or even anticipate them!) when you hear them in the performance.
- turn off all cell phones, pagers, and watch alarms before the performance begins and keep them off as long as the performance is in progress.
- be sure to be in your seats before the performance begins. The ushers won't let you into the theater once the lights have gone down, no matter what.
- your best to be considerate of your fellow audience members and the artists on stage to ensure that everyone has a great time at the opera!
DON'T:
- talk while the artists on stage are singing or the orchestra is playing. This is a live performance and the singers can see and hear you. Please show the artists, musicians, and your fellow audience members respect by refraining from talking out loud OR whispering. The Opera House acoustics are excellent, and you are certain to be heard even if you whisper!
- use flash cameras or any other device that might cause a distraction for the singers on stage or your fellow audience members. Anyone disregarding this injunction will be removed from the theater immediately.
- use any sort of recording device—either audio or video—while the performance is in progress.
- leave your seat at any time, except during the intermissions, unless it is a dire emergency. No one will be allowed back in the theater until the end of the act.
- put your feet up on the chairs or leave trash on the floor. The Opera House is NOT a movie theater but a beautiful, historical work of architecture that should be treated with respect.
- smoke anywhere in the building.
- take any food, drink, or chewing gum into the theater.
- be surprised if you end up liking opera a lot more than you thought you would.
Note: the rules and restrictions mentioned above are the same ones that apply to our regular subscription audience.
