If you are new to opera, welcome! We love this brilliant, moving, surprising art form, and we’re sure you will too. We’ve gathered together some handy bits of information for you if you’re planning to see your first opera, including information about discounts and answers to some FAQs we get.
Most operas are the length of an average film (between two and three hours), but with an interval – or sometimes two – during which you can stretch your legs, get a drink at the bar, or whatever you wish!
Each opera’s running time is displayed on the relevant event listing page for each opera.
What should I wear?
There is no dress code for Opera North performances. If you want to dress up and make a special occasion of it, go for it, but jeans are equally welcome. It’s your night!
Where should I sit?
That depends on how much you want to spend. There are a mix of prices across all levels in the auditorium, so look around to see what takes your fancy. Seats in the Stalls tend to make you feel closer to the action, and higher up in the Circle or Balconies you get a birds eye view and can see more of our live orchestra. But really you get a good view from most seats of the theatres we perform in, and there’ll be a note on your seat when you book if the view is restricted.
As with all live theatre, just be sensitive to the people around you. We ask that phones are put away during the performance. Filming is prohibited, but you are welcome to take photos before the start, in the interval or during the applause at the end. Even better, tag us afterwards on Instagram and tell us about your opera experience!
If you’re not sure when to clap, wait for others around you. Usually people applaud before the start when the conductor takes their place on the podium in the orchestra pit. Also, applause often happens at the end of an act, or after a particularly spectacular solo or duet.
Will I be able to understand what is being sung?
Yes! Many operas here are performed in English translation. And all our operas (whether in English or not) are subtitled, so you can see a translation on screens at the side of the stage. Singing takes longer than speaking, so your eyes can easily move between stage and screen and you won’t miss any of the action.
You can find what language our operas are performed in on the relevant event listing page.
There’s no need to prepare before you come along, although a quick glance through the plot synopsis (you’ll find one on the webpage for each opera) is always handy.
We also produce an introductory ‘in a nutshell’ guide for each opera which includes a summary of the plot, characters, set and costume designs, musical highlights to listen out for and a little about the opera’s history.
What will it sound like?
Opera singers do not use microphones, as their voices are trained to project over a full orchestra. This means that there is no barrier between the performer’s voice and audience, making opera a unique experience. The live orchestra itself, which can be up to 60 players (depending on the piece), provides an extra thrill.
However, the music of one composer can sound totally unlike another. Hear extracts of different operas on our YouTube channel or Soundcloud.
Anything else I should know?
Opera deals with all kinds of human experiences – it can surprise people how relevant opera can feel, whether the piece was written last week or 100 years ago. It’s perfect for people who love experiencing emotion in its rawest form. Nowadays, opera singers are also talented actors, so you can become fully immersed in all the drama.
‘Opera’ is as broad a genre as ‘film’ – there’s comedy, tragedy, thrillers, and everything in between. Each season, we programme a wide variety of pieces, so there is something for everyone. Explore what’s on below…
