ok so we were at the Zauberfloete the other day and sitting next to me was a woman with two children (maybe 10 and 12). Now I'm not saying you need to sit immobile right through it keeping your mouth clamped together but as soon as anyone on stage began to sing, the boy would start talking loudly which triggered his mother into speaking even more loudly. They did not seem to speak UNLESS someone was singing. As soon as the singing began though, they began talking.
Ok I can handle a bit of noise, pulling out plastic bottles, rustling with sweet covers and blowing their noses etc, but I mean WHY take your dc to the opera if they're not interested in it (maybe too young) and you are not interested in listening to it either?