To ask for your opera recommendations?

[lawanddisorder]

Got a big birthday coming up and I want to see an opera. I’m toying with the idea of seeing something at (eg) the royal opera house, but it is sooo expensive. So should I start with something cheaper? Or should I start with something world class and necessarily expensive?

I have never seen an opera before! I just fancy it

I love Carmen and madam butterfly! Both easy to follow. Have also seen aida (very long so might not be best for first time), and marriage of figaro (couldn't tell you much about what happens in that one!)

The ENO is worth a visit: www.eno.org/2023-24-season/
Tickets start at £10. The Royal Opera often has reasonably priced tickets too

Think all were toured by Welsh national opera who are very good (seen in bristol). It may depend if you fancy dressing up for a night at the opera - that might happen more at the opera house. Not so much in local theatre (although I think some people did).

The Royal Opera House is very good. It’s a beautiful venue 😍 I’ve only been there to see a ballet, and I sat very high up to get a cheap seat so I couldn’t see very much.

If you went there to see an opera though and booked a seat near the top of the seating area, I’d imagine that you’d still have a good experience because you’d be able to hear the music wherever you were.

If you’re after a cheaper option, the English National Opera is based at the Coliseum in London, very close to the Royal Opera House. Their productions are very good too. I’ve seen their productions of the Magic Flute and Carmen and both were excellent.

Carmen is a good starter opera.
My favourite is Tosca.
A short opera is Cavalleira Rusticana with possibly the best intermezzo ever.

Die Rosenkavalier.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Der_Rosenkavalier

Don't forget that operas sometimes get live streamed to the cinema.

Traviata is lovely.

Maybe watch some highlight on YouTube to figure out what kind of music appeals to you. So Verdi would be very different to Wagner which is different to Mozart. All amazing but different. Also do you want to watch it being sung in English or in the original language with subtitles?
The Royal Opera House is amazing but so so super expensive. Better value but still fab might be the ENO at the Colisseum or the English Touring Opera which tour the regions but also come to London. Or even the Hampstead Garden Opera put on some amazing smaller shows with new up and coming stars.
Or you could watch a Livestream Opera from the Royal Opera House or the Met in New York from the comfort of local cinema. Vue? Guarantee the seats will be more comfy and you can bring in your snacks and and drinks.

Hope you enjoy whatever you see. You might enjoy Bizet Carmen the music and story to that is really fun.
I think they do a first timers discount at the ENO so that might entice you in...

Wow, I didn’t know that about the English national opera! Just found this page which makes them seem really friendly and approachable
https://www.eno.org/your-visit/attending-opera-for-the-first-time/

Anything by Puccini!

Thank you for the tips! I would like to see an opera live - but when they’re filmed are they like a tv show with close ups etc, or is it exactly like you would see at the theatre?

Lots of good advice here!
I agree with @SignoraVolpe .

Happy Birthday, OP! I hope you will enjoy the opera.
I don't go to the opera a lot, but I really enjoy it when I do.

Oh no - I’m in London so it looks like the royal opera house is the only option? ENO has nothing planned after March (this must be because they’re moving out of London - I remember hearing that on the news) and the English touring opera doesn’t seem to tour to London 😥

will definitely have to save up!

Sell a kidney if necessary to see the ROH production of The Flying Dutchman with Bryn Terfel. I saw it in a previous incarnation, and it was the moment I fell for opera.

@Cheville id love to but tickets START at £128!!!!

thank you all so much for your help. I’m going to do some proper research and look for clips of all of these online. As it’s such a big investment I should probably start with a cinema streaming

Cinema streaming is brilliant. Amazing idea. Best view and the sound is terrific.

Don't dismiss going abroad to see an Opera. We have been to Poland, Hungry, Italy and Lithuania and tickets are half the price and flights and accommodation can be done with budget airlines. You can do the Verona open air Opera from 30 Euro, depending where you sit and it is an unbelievable experience.
But definitely watch a few on y tube to get the feel and type you like.

You don’t need both kidneys, right? 😀

I no longer live in London, but when I did, I never paid anything like that. You were able to queue early in the morning for cheap day tickets — I met some great people taking it turns to do coffee runs at 6 am. It looks as though Friday Rush has replaced that.

https://www.roh.org.uk/help/friday-rush-faqs

I'd get a shift on and see the ENO's Magic Flute while you've got the chance, even if it is not yet your birthday. The Coliseum is a beautiful venue, sad to see them forced to move.

If you are in London and want a taster, the Guildhall students put on a show twice a year of opera scenes. I've been two or three times and it's always been really good. Great singing and staging, and an eclectic mix. Here's the link with more information.

https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2024/event/spring-opera-scenes-guildhall-school-of-music-drama

Oh, good thought, @OhOneOhTwoOhThree — I heard some great young singers at that.

You could treat the whole family for just one kidney

If you can afford it OP, I highly recommend going to Verona, and catching an opera at the open air arena in the summer. They have a full programme, you can google it.
We saw La Traviata some years ago there - it was our honeymoon and I am not an opera person (think more clubs/dance/electronica)
We booked anyway and I was in tears after the first act! It blew me away, the build up where you all hold a candle up before the performance starts and the production. It was amazing, truly magical.