Opera Goers: i have a question

[La Lioness Priyanka]

my friend wants to know what good/acceptable seating for an opera is.

he want to by his mom tickets for christmas.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

1. Half-way back, on the center aisle

Half way back, maybe 15th or 20th row, you can see everything without swiveling your head like a tennis spectator.

On the aisle, so you don't disturb anyone if you have to take a break.

Or, front row of the first balcony, again on the aisle.

Those are my favorite seats for stuff like that.

:hi:

[EstimatedProphet]

2. Box seats are often nice

Traditionally the seats of royalty

[La Lioness Priyanka]

3. yes sir.

[Orsino]

4. Close to the aisle is good.

You don't want a lot of other people handling your hot dogs.

[Rabrrrrrr]

5. What opera house? And does the mom want thebest sound, or to be close to see faces?

Which opera? Does it have dancing?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

6. met. cant remember the opera name.

[Rabrrrrrr]

7. Ah, the Met. Nice place! Best sound is the upper balcony.

Disadvantage of the upper balcony is that it's about 300 feet from the stage - one gets to see the entirety of the stage in one glance, but facial gestures are entirely lost. Also, the chairs are closer together up top, so if the mom is a large woman, she'll be uncomfortable, unless one can get tickets for a seat that doesn't have another seat in front of it.

Floor seats will get her a good face shot, but the sound isn't as full and blended down there, and if there is intricate stage movement, it's all lost because one is looking from the front. From the balcony, intricate movement can be seen, since one is looking down from above. Floor seats are larger with more space between them.

Box seats are nice because they have loose chairs, not chairs nailed down to the floor - but they're also the most expensive seats in the house.

For my money, since sound is most important to me, I lived in the upper balcony - most of the time, I did the standing room at the very back and top of the Met. Nothing quite like standing through the Ring Cycle. But the sound! Ye gods, it is sweet and wondrous up there.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

8. you're the best.

:hi:

[Rabrrrrrr]

10. Thanks! I try!

EVIL EVIL FIRE ABOMINATION BURN IN HELL SATAN! SATAN!

Your friend might also find, unless he has a lot of money, that the upper balcony seats are the only ones he can afford...

I prefer balcony seating for pretty much any performance because of the sound, and so that I can see the whole stage in one shot, especially if there's dancing.

[kwassa]

11. I disliked the Met upper balcony

Mostly because the heat rises in the auditorium, and had the effect of putting myself and friend almost completely asleep before the first intermission, at which point we left. I didn't like looking down from on high, either.

Of course, this was before the invention of surtitles, which made opera much more interesting to me in general.

Now my wife and I go to the Washington Opera at the Kennedy Center, and usually get first balcony seats. It is still worthwhile to bring binoculers/opera glasses to get details of the performers' faces, but all the sight lines are terrific.

I've even sat in the official Presidential box, through connections back in the Clinton years. When the Prez isn't using it, staffers have access to it.

[AllegroRondo]

9. The best seats are in the front of the balcony / mezzanine

or boxes, if they have them.
after that, its aisle seats on the floor, but not too close to the stage.

The worst seats are the back rows of the balcony, the far sides of the floor, and the last rows of the floor.

[Aristus]

12. For Wagner or Mozart, halfway back, center row is good.

For any other type of opera, in another auditorium, if possible. B-)

[Rabrrrrrr]

13. Oh, God, yes, especially if it's Vedi.

:puke:

Puccini gets a pass, though, too. And anything written after 1970.

[AllegroRondo]

14. Even Beethoven?

I saw Fidelio a couple years back and was blown away.

[Aristus]

15. Never seen Fidelio, but it's Beethoven, so I have to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Beethoven ROCKS!

Or maybe: Beethoven CLASSICALS!

Or whatever... B-)

[graywarrior]

16. Center about 1/4 back.

What a great gift. I love the opera.

[SacredCow]

17. Pretty much dead center of the auditorium....

that's the usual rule of thumb for the best seats at the opera or any theatre show, really. But if you know you'll have to get up (weak bladder or otherwise) being on the aisle is a good idea. I've never cared for balcony seats, unless the acoustics and/or sound system is VERY good- otherwise, I find the sounds to be muffled. Also, avoid getting too close to the orchestra pit, or all you'll be able to hear is whatever instrument is right on top of you.

I went to see "Faust" in New Orleans last month....

[bif]

18. The balcony is good because...

it's easier to read the surtitles from there.

[CBHagman]

19. You can also probably get a deal on opera glasses.

The camera stores are having sales right about now, so consider tossing in a modest pair of binoculars. Yes, I realize that opera tickets alone are hugely generous and a big bite of your budget, but opera glasses are a terrific investment, as I've found out on more than one occasion.

[frogcycle]

20. I'm partial to just as close to an exit as I can get... :)