"10 Rules of Opera Etiquette,"
by Susan Dunn, MA. The EQ Coach

Etiquette is about emotional intelligence - thinking about
the other person and presenting your best self. All
etiquette rules center around taking everyone into
consideration, and making the other person comfortable,
i.e., it isn't all about you!

The great arts, including opera, are part of my EQ program,
because they're essential to emotional intelligence. EQ
fosters wellness and music, an intelligent use of emotion,
supports the immune system as well as giving us great joy,
expressing for us, and through us, emotions for which there
are no words.  Sound is vibration, after all, and "you are
the music as long as it lasts."

With the growing interest and love of crossover group and
individuals such as Josh Graban, Andrea Bocelli, and the
Opera Band, more people are daring to take the plunge and
attend their first opera.

We hope you will, to hear some of the most magnificent music
and voices in the world, centering around eternal themes of
love, yearning, jealousy, passion, conquest, and loss.
Here are some rules of etiquette so you can know what to
expect.

1. Wear something comfortable.

If you haven't been to an opera, you may think you have to
"dress." Most people do, and if you enjoy dressing up, you
sure can. If you don't, in most venues it isn't necessary.
The singers can't see you, and the rest of us don't care.
Tuxes are rarely seen any more and certainly not necessary.

2. Don't wear heavy perfume, cologne, or after shave.

Many people are allergic to, or otherwise severely bothered
by strong odors.  Be considerate of others, and don't.

3. Mute your cell phone and other electronic devices that
might beep. Or leave them at home.

4. Arrive on time and take your seat quietly.
If you aren't on time, many venues won't seat you until the
first intermission, and you don't want to miss the opening
act!

5. Avoid wearing apparel that obstructs the vision of
others, like hats.

6. If you like it, let them know. Stand up, clap, and shout
"Bravo!"

Well, be an aficianado and use "Brava!" for a female singer,
and "Bravo!" for a male, and "Bravi!" for the lot of them.
7. Do give your applause.

Always at the end of the first overture, and at the end of a
scene. Also at the end, of course. It's rude to be rushing
out at the end to save yourself 5 minutes in the parking
lot.

8. Remain quiet during the performance.

Others came to hear the opera, not hear you talk to your
partner - no matter how excited you are about what's going
on.

9. Don't come if you have a cough!

It's only common courtesy.  People have paid good money to
hear what's going on, and coughing is a distraction.  I'm
thinking of a violin concert I attended some time ago where
the violinist stopped playing and asked the offending party
to leave.  We in the audience were grateful.  Many theaters
offer lozenges and tissues in the lobby.

10. Study up before you go and you'll enjoy it more.

There are many librettos and sound clips available on the
Internet that can give you a good headstart. You can find
many resources here: www.susandunn.cc/vivoperlei.htm.

In preparation, we suggest:

1. The fabulous Teaching Company tapes on understanding
opera, and understanding classical music available here –
http://www.susandunn.cc/vivoperlei.htm, gently listened to
once, at a price you can finally afford.

2. Opera Band's Amici Forever
(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000V0DE2/susandunnmome-20
)

3. Andrea Bocelli's Verdi
(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004X16D/susandunnmome-20
)

4. Opera Favorites, just $4.98, and featuring one of the
most beautiful baritones alive, Herlea
(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000058IK/susandunnmome-20
)

5. Magee's book The Tristan Chord: Wagner and Philosophy
(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/080-5067884/susandunnmome-20
)

6. Join Club Vivo Per Lei / I Live for Music, named for
Andrea Bocelli's beautiful song Vivi Per Lei (which he duets
with women from different countries)
http://www.susandunn.cc/vivoperlei.htm

©Susan Dunn, MA, The EQ Coach,
http://www.susandunn.cc/vivoperlei.htm,
mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc.  Susan is the author of "The Arts
and Emotional Intelligence", and founder of EQ Alive! ,
number one rated EQ coach certification and training
program, training coaches, therapists, clergy, managers,
teachers, and fans, worldwide.  Susan incorporates the great
arts into all her programs, and invites you to join Club
Vivo Per Lei / I Live for Music.  Music supports the immune
system, and so does Arbonne's Get Well Soon Dietary
Supplement, http://www.susandunn.myarbonne.com .