It’s mostly because of how it’s depicted in films and tv shows. Whenever you see a shot of the audience it’s like some alternate universe where everyone is a patrician in formal wear and the monocle has remained in style. If you look at actual audiences at the opera or symphony it’s mostly people who look and dress like students, school teachers and secretaries.
“If you look at actual audiences at the opera or symphony it’s mostly people who look and dress like students, school teachers and secretaries.”
My experience too. Particularly the real Opera-Dawgs who go to the university productions to find out who is up and coming. These are the people who just can’t get enough of it.
A good starting opera wuld be Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte. The Marx brothers on steroids, it is hilarious. And if they offer a class on the opera before it begins, take them early and go it. The last presenter I saw was hilarious, had people falling out their seats.
Depends on the age dynamic. The older members of the audience still tend to suits. They probably still dress up to fly too.
Hey Cracked.com has an article today on one of our favorite on going arguments. You’ll probably disagree with everything they say, but they do say it funnier than I ever have.