Going to the opera AIBU

[ABigSalad123]

I’m taking a relative to the opera as a birthday present, and we’re going to a production where there will be surtitles (screens in the theatre showing the text in English that is being sung during the opera). For further info, the opera will be sung in English.

I’ve just found out though that we won’t be able to see the surtitles from our seats(!!) Does anyone know if this might be an issue? Ideally I would like us to be able to see them.

I’m going to ring the theatre to see if I can change the tickets, but also just wanted to see on here if anyone has any thoughts on this. (And yes, I’m feeling like a prize idiot right now!)

Which opera is it?

And which theatre? In Vienna, for example,they have gadgets at the seat where you can choose the language of subtitles, and its displayed at your seat.

If the opera is sung in English, you won’t need subtitles at all.

I've never seen an opera where the surtitles aren't visible! Where are you going for it?

But the opera is sung in English? What's the problem?

Surtitles can be awfully distracting if you don’t need them.

Unless the thing you’re going to see is extremely new you can probably find the full text somewhere online - in addition to a full synopsis. So you could read ahead and then just enjoy the sound and spectacle during the performance?

I don't think it makes much difference - the opera is less about the words and more about the music and acting and emotion of it all, so even though you may not understand a word, it just feels beautiful.
(And some of the lyrics are a bit nonsense sometimes and in English they don't sound as beautiful).

I totally missed the opera is in English. What is the problem??

Thanks all! Thankfully I’ve just got the tickets changed, so we can see the surtitles if needed. I totally understand your point that the surtitles aren’t needed if the opera is in English - I agree, but was thinking they might be helpful for the relative I’m going with, who can’t always hear very well when they go to the theatre. We’re seeing the opera in the UK (English translation of Carmen). I’m really looking forward to it.

This is how I feel. I have never minded hearing opera in a foreign language for this reason.

You can find the libretto online and read it before the performance.

Opera lyrics tend to be quite repetitive and dull. You can buy a programme at the venue or look up the plot / libretto online. I disagree with people saying that if the opera is sung in English, you will be able to understand the lyrics.

All you need to know about opera is that at the end, she dies. The rest is just faff.

I think you've done the right thing in changing your seats. Operas have surtitles for a reason: the demands of singing in such a was as to fill an entire opera house with an unamplified soprano voice over an orchestra are often incompatible with intelligibility, especially if your hearing has deteriorated slightly with age.

If you happen to know the libretto well anyway, have perfect hearing, or be content just to let the music wash over you then that's fine, but surtitles are a godsend for people who don't fit into those groups.

I love opera but don't hear any of the words. I don't think they matter at all.
What I would do is make sure you know the music before you go as it adds to it if it's familiar.

Opera lyrics tend to be quite repetitive and dull.

You’re going to the wrong things!

Thanks Sibella! Those were my thoughts exactly.

Even in English, you can really need the surtitles! Not every singer has great diction and not every theatre has good acoustics.

If it’s ENO they this on loads of seats but seem to be overly cautious, I’ve sat multiple times in seats where they’ve said this but the subtitles have been easily in view