Crying baby at the opera

[Binfairy]

I went see Ainadamar on Saturday night in Edinburgh, performed by Scottish Opera. Fantastic performance but I was very surprised and not very happy to hear a baby crying. AIBU to think opera isn't for young babies?

Definitely not a place for babies, and I'm normally all for babies being taken places To an infant's sensitive little ears, it is just going to sound like someone constantly screeching. No wonder the poor little thing was crying.

Nothing wrong with taking babies/children to an art gallery as it’s easy to step out if they make too much noise, completely different from the opera. Some galleries positively encourage babies and children - have had many happy hours pushing DS round Tate Modern in his buggy and the gallery has been designed with that in mind.

Definitely not BU. I'm stunned at the arrogance of anyone who would think that this is ok.

Sorry, but I don't really like to see young children in art galleries, either.

I think I was 7 before my parents took me to the opera. And 16 when I requested not to be included! (I like it again now). It's no place for a baby. Apart from my in utero sister, my.mum was not giving up her wagner tickets despite being nearly due, and sis clearly could hear too much amd wanted away, and so the waters broke and mum had to exit.pronto
Sis never did like opera...

Sorry, but I don't really like to see young children in art galleries, either.

No need to apologise- you're entitled to your preferences 😀 But it's very normal for babies and children to go to galleries and, as I say, actively encouraged by a lot of galleries. Very different from the opera- I've never heard of an opera house letting a baby into a standard performance and I'd be annoyed to find one there if this hadn't been flagged.

I went to the Ashmolean recently and was tailed by a screaming baby. The parents were oblivious. I have no problem with babies in museums and galleries, as long as they are removed when they scream. This one screamed for a good half hour and totally ruined it for me.

Definitely!

It wasn't a relaxed performance was it? Sometimes called an Access performance?

I'm surprised they let the baby in tbh. It's not a suitable event for a baby or young children at all.

I’ve been waiting 20 years to indulge my love of live opera, because I’ve been at home most evenings with my children and not been easily able to travel for performances. I would be livid to find crying babies there.

Sorry, but I don't really like to see young children in art galleries, either.

Doesn’t really matter if you don’t like to see it though, does it? Many art galleries actively encourage young children!
Just been to the rate modern the other day and they have a whole activity exhibition they update regularly for kids.

Nothing wrong with taking babies/children to an art gallery as it’s easy to step out if they make too much noise

Absolutely, but as my colleagues thinks it’s ok to take babies to the opera you can imagine that she doesn’t take them out of places when they cry.

It’s fine if parents do of course, but awful if not as the sound bounces off the walls!