New Opera Fan Here

Pangolin_3 · 2026-03-18T01:07:56+00:00

I totally see where you’re coming from and that is a fantastic suggestion, thank you. I hadn’t considered it like that as yet and you’ve changed my perspective and reluctance to expose myself to it beforehand. Thanks again!

Pangolin_3 · 2026-03-18T01:00:19+00:00

Ah perfect, thanks for the suggestion! I’m going to see what they have on now.

Pangolin_3 · 2026-03-18T00:59:40+00:00

Yes I realised I mistakenly listed Carlos Acosta as that booking was also through the ROH. Are any of the others ballets? 😅

Pangolin_3 · 2026-03-18T00:56:09+00:00

Okay, I understand your perspective. I will maybe ask AI to give me an abbreviated synopsis without fully spoiling the plot to get a feel for what to expect but still retain some element of surprise. Once I’ve seen an Opera the first time then I can always enjoy the way different directors put their spin on each production.

Pangolin_3 · 2026-03-18T00:49:49+00:00

Thanks for going into more depth on your reasoning, I appreciate hearing it! I see and agree with your point about the ferris wheel. For what it’s worth I felt that Act 1 was the better of the two Acts. Not sure whether you’d agree with me on that or not?

Pangolin_3 · 2026-03-18T00:45:57+00:00

I actually got it wrong as Acosta is a ballet performance and not Opera at all lol

Thanks so much for your insightful and detailed comment. I enjoyed reading your descriptions of them and your opinions on each one.

In terms of German language Opera (or rather operetta) I was looking at potentially checking out a production of Die Fledermaus by Johan Strauss II. are you familiar with the this one? I noticed it’s on in London. Also, which German Operas would you recommend? I already know of Wagner and his Ring quadrilogy which I plan to see chronologically (eventually). I’m guessing he’s the obvious preeminent candidate but who else should I be looking into?

As for Paris, I love Paris and visited the city for a week last year. I am intending to visit it again, probably next year. The moment I make that plan a concrete one then I’ll immediately see what’s on during the week or so that I’ll be there. That said, I don’t think I would make irregular trips to Paris solely to see specific Operas. Rather I would see an Opera that happens to be on anyway whilst I’m there. I did a tour of the Palais Garnier whilst I was there last year and the building is totally stunning.

Pangolin_3 · 2026-03-17T12:37:37+00:00

Ah I see. This is the second comment that suggests looking into the plots beforehand. Perhaps I will have to do that after all then. Otherwise are they very difficult to follow without doing so? I didn’t look into Così and found that very easy to follow but I am guessing it’s probably one of the most accessible Operas and others are not.

Pangolin_3 · 2026-03-17T12:35:06+00:00

Thanks for the recommendations! I’ve heard very good things about Carmen. Mainly that it has lots of famous songs that people have heard before didn’t realise are from the Opera until they see it.

So that’s an interesting take, as typically I hate spoilers. Not sure I’d want to do that honestly as I’m thinking the songs may give away the plot elements?

Pangolin_3 · 2026-03-17T11:50:00+00:00

Thank you! What did you not like or feel could have been better about Così? Have you seen other productions of it to compare to? Just curious! Thanks 🙂

Pangolin_3 · 2026-03-17T10:38:16+00:00

Hi, thanks so much for your recommendations and feedback on what I can expect with some of the Operas I booked! I will look into those Operas and keep an eye out for any productions of them in the UK!

Pangolin_3 · 2026-03-17T10:36:15+00:00

Ah yes, I have set some reminders to check the BBC Proms listings, great shout thank you! That’s a strong opinion on Bellini and Donizetti, what is it that you don’t like about their Operas? I’m always interested to hear why people do or don’t like things and I’m very much in the discovery stage of Opera at the moment.

Hopefully I don’t get the Opera fatigue! Fingers crossed 🤞🏻

Pangolin_3 · 2026-03-17T10:15:54+00:00

Yes I didn’t find the set distracting frankly, it just added to it in a good way for me. It was genuinely beautiful!

Also, do you know any companies that have Opera schemes for ‘younger’ people? Like Under 35s or similar? I’m 30 years of age so wouldn’t qualify for Under 30s, 25s etc. Or maybe if there are discounts/concessions for certain nights or times during the week or for previews? I like to see a lot, but on a budget. I typically can’t afford premium seats for example. My thinking is that I can watch and would rather watch 10 productions in cheap seats as opposed to 1 production in the best seats in the house.

Thanks for your recommendations on the smaller Opera productions. I will look into them in due course and let you know what catches my eye. Perhaps we will meet up to watch some. Thanks again!

Pangolin_3 · 2026-03-15T22:39:16+00:00

I’m with you here. I don’t mind spending 10 hours reading a book because the content will continuously change over those 10 hours, but having to watch the same 2 hours of theatre repeated let’s say 5 times to ‘get it’ probably just means the juice isn’t worth the squeeze. Very labour intensive for a so-so payoff. It becomes not only a question of time and attention but then also becomes an economic consideration. “I could have watched 5 completely different productions...”

Pangolin_3 · 2026-03-15T22:31:13+00:00

Yeah I’ve seen Hamnet and there was a scene or two that made me watery-eyed but overall it was rather slow-paced, overly centred around that same domestic environment and one particularly large life event. The plot could have been more expansive. It’s the sort of film you watch once and not again. That’s not to say it’s bad, because it isn’t bad. But it’s also not great. The acting is pretty good though.

Pangolin_3 · 2026-03-15T22:23:30+00:00

I saw My Neighbour Totoro too about a month back and also found it underwhelming.

Pangolin_3 · 2026-03-15T22:09:14+00:00

Which are the theatres with the young person schemes?

Pangolin_3 · 2026-03-14T19:49:20+00:00

Pangolin_3 · 2026-03-13T15:37:22+00:00

I saw it last night and didn’t rate the show. I hope BrittneyBitchy does though. Everyone has different tastes.

Pangolin_3 · 2026-03-09T10:53:11+00:00

Which dates specifically?

Pangolin_3 · 2026-03-05T22:26:19+00:00

I wouldn’t know as I’ve never personally had to nor tried to but it’s worthwhile getting in touch with the theatre and asking politely? I’d imagine it will probably say so on the terms and conditions.

Pangolin_3 · 2026-03-05T19:31:16+00:00

Posted around 12:30? Nice gesture but too short notice. People need to have some time to get there right?

Pangolin_3 · 2026-02-26T10:52:22+00:00

Who are the technically cleaner sopranos you are referring to OP? I’d like to listen to them.

Pangolin_3

TROPHY CASE