Ping.
My first live opera experience was in MIT’s Kresge Auditorium. It was the Premier performance of Sarah Caldwell’s brand new Opera Company of Boston.
The small, round auditorium was used brilliantly to create a brand new experience of ‘The Flying Dutchman”, using rear screen projection, Antiphonal choristers scattered around the audience, and storm clouds projected upon the ceiling.
It was quite innovative for 1968, and got some criticism at the time for not being “traditional”.
However, Wagner’s intent for his “musical dramas” included a lot of stagecraft that was not available at the time, so he had his own theater constructed at Bayreuth for his productions.
That being said, too much animation and gimmicks can spoil an opera, especially the “Reality Shows” like Carmen, La Boheme, and La Traviata. If the theme is exotic or magical, or involve mythical gods and goddesses, Bring It On! LOL!