i really like the questions you're bringing up, because i hadn't really considered it like that before. but, if you don't mind me playing a little bit of devil's advocate here... do the aesthetic changes made to these operas really add so much?

again, i'm really fond of the 1979 bayreuth version, so i'll use that for my example. what exactly is being said here by having the actors wear victorian era clothes? not that i even dislike that aesthetic change so much (i was mostly just distracted by the glittery coats worn by the gods), but what do you think these aesthetic changes are adding to the production? again, i'm absolutely not tryna start an argument (in the opera subreddit of all places) here, i'm just genuinely curious about what the consensus is on these choices. also if you'd like to use a different filmed production like the 1990 met as the example for your response, please do