Q. What is opera like?

A. Opera is for everyone and there is no reason you won't get it. If you like music and you like theatre, then opera is the best of both worlds. Opera in the 21st Century is as diverse as any other area of the arts, using classical, jazz, rock and popular music to tell a story in the most dramatic way. By combining the best of theatrical convention, musicality, dance, and vocal performance, opera is the ultimate and oldest of the multi-disciplinary arts. At Skylight Opera Theatre, there is the added benefit that all productions are in English. There are plenty of places where you can still see the typical "fat lady" in a big horned helmet screaming in German, but that's not Skylight.

In the end, the main difference you will notice between opera and music theatre is that in opera everything is sung-through, without breaks for dialogue (in most cases). That's one of the most amazing things about opera, and if you doubt it, just try to sing everything instead of talking one morning before you go to work. So if your favorite thing about music theatre is the singing, you'll get it in spades with opera.

Q. Do I have to study opera to enjoy it?

A. No. Opera, just like any theatre, is meant to be enjoyed the night of the performance. Unlike movies with massive marketing campaigns to make you familiar with all the plot points, or musicals, which are much more well-known in the United States, in some cases it takes a little digging to find out in advance what the show is about. To help you, Skylight Opera Theatre provides as much information as possible on this website about the shows it produces. When you arrive at the theatre, you can also pick up a handy (and free) audience guide to the show in the lobby, which will give you lots of background information about the show, including the synopsis of the plot. Opera, like Star Trek, attracts its fair share of hard-core fans who can quote you their favorite lines or arias, but you don't have to know everything about the form to appreciate the show you are coming to see.

Q. What do I wear? Do I have to dress up?

A. Come as you are to Skylight Opera Theatre. Some people might like to make a special night of it and dress up, but just as many come in casual attire to enjoy a night out on the town. At the Skylight you'll see a mix of all the personal styles you'd see anywhere on a night out.

Q. What if I'm late?

A. You'll want to plan ahead to get to the theatre on time for the opening. Because it's a live performance, we have to respect that late comers might distract the performers on stage, to say nothing of your fellow audience members. We'll seat you in any case, either at the first suitable break, or in seats in the back or on the sides until intermission. The Skylight Bar & Bistro has a full bar and a dinner menu provided by Fratello’s Waterfront Restaurant, so if you are worried about getting from dinner to the show, come down to the theatre and eat. We guarantee you'll make it on time.

Q. When do I applaud?

A. Just like you would for any music show or theatre performance, in fact, it is more like a jazz concert than anything else. Opera is a live performance and the performers feed off the reactions of the audience. So if you hear something you love, let them know! The most obvious places to applaud are at the ends of the scene, the acts, and at the end of the show, but if you loved the aria or the ensemble number you just heard, go for it, the singers will love you for it. And if you really love it, stand up at the end of the show and shout "brava" (for a woman), "bravo" (for a man), or "bravi" (for the whole lot of them).
In the end, the important thing is to sit back, relax and enjoy the show in the intimacy of the beautiful Cabot Theatre. You'll be glad you did.