All About Opera- Misconceptions about Opera

Many people think that opera is a very elite form of entertainment that only certain people can acquire a taste for.   On the contrary, opera is an art form that deals with basic human emotions and events that everyone can relate to and enjoy.  Listed below are several common misconceptions about opera that keep people from experiencing its thrilling and addicting nature.

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"Operas are always sung in Italian, French or German so I won't understand what they are singing."

False. With running English super titles projected on a screen above the stage, you won't miss a word of what those glorious voices are singing. And believe it or not, sometimes operas are sung in English, but you can still rely on the super titles to guide you along in case you miss a word.

"I can't afford to go to the opera. Opera is for rich people!"

False. If you can afford other forms of live entertainment, you can afford opera. Rimrock Opera Company ticket prices start at only $26, and students get an even better deal at only $13.

"Opera is for old people. I won't be able to relate to what's going on."

False. Opera is for everyone! Characters of all ages are present in many operas, and many of today's operas are set to more recent historical events or modern times. In addition, they're chock-full of all the same things that keep you glued to your television - love, sex, jealously, violence, suspense, drama, etc. Add the most breathtaking music ever written, the most glorious live voices known to man and a 30-instrument symphony orchestra, and HBO can't compete with this magnitude of entertainment!

College students are even catching the opera bug! Many music majors enrolled at our local and state universities first caught the opera bug while attending one of Rimrock Opera's Education and Outreach programs or a main stage opera production.

"I don't know anything about opera music."

False. Chances are if you've ever watched cartoons, listened to the radio or watched TV commercials, you're familiar with opera. As a matter of fact, if you were to see an opera, you may be surprised to recognize one, if not more, of the melodies you hear. But don't take our word for it – check out the popular Bud Light commercial on youtube.

"Opera is for snobs!"

False. As with any group of art lovers, there are those who can seem intimidating due to the knowledge they posses regarding their favored art form, and the great interest they take in it. However, the truth of the matter is that opera wasn't written to provide entertainment to the "social elite." The greatest opera composers wrote their shows as entertainment for the masses, long before movie theatres were ever dreamed up.

I won't understand it.
The days of attending opera and not understanding a lick of what's going on are over. Thanks to the invention of supertitles in the mid-1980's, you no longer need to be fluent in a foreign language to understand the opera. Supertitles (or surtitles) are English translations of what is being sung, projected above the stage, and are always featured at Rimrock Opera Company productions.

I have to dress up.
Many years ago opera was just for the elite class and royalty and thus patrons felt it necessary to dress to the nines when attending opera. Nowadays, everyone goes to the opera and there is no dress code. People come to the opera dressed in everything from jeans to evening gowns, so please fell free to attend the opera in whatever clothes you feel comfortable.

All opera singers are fat, screaming ladies in horned helmets.
"It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings" is a phrase typically associated with opera and the image of a fat woman in a horned helmet screaming away in a foreign language is the great stereotype for opera around the world. That image grew out of some Wagnerian opera and is really not seen much anymore. Today's trend for opera singers in America and throughout the world is for singers to be believable in their roles- in size, stature, voice and dress.

Opera is expensive.
Actually opera tickets are comparable to the prices of other live entertainment and in some cases cost MUCH less than a major league sporting event. Go to TICKETS for more information.

Opera is for the "blue hairs" only.
Opera is the fastest growing of the performing arts with more than 20 million people attending annually. Not only are audiences growing, but they are growing younger too!

Opera is boring.
Opera is a great party - a visual, aural, emotional spectacle that electrifies all the senses. In our very visually oriented society today, we look for and even expect entertainment that dazzles us from all around. Opera, with it spectacular sets and costumes, glorious voices and stories that tear at our heartstrings, does exactly that, and there is something in it for everyone.

 Opera is for everyone!