This is topic Dmitri Hvorostovsky-The Russian Baritone and Proper Opera Recital Attire in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.


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Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
 
I'm going to see him March 18th, next year I think.
I am very excited.
I also might go to my first opera if all goes ok and I get a better job and pay various debts.
But what should I wear? [Confused]
I hate girl type formal clothes. They make me feel so... icky....
I'd much rather wear a suit or something, but I'd like to look somewhat respectable...
At least I could wear anything to see H.I.M.

[ September 29, 2004, 01:38 AM: Message edited by: Synesthesia ]
 
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
 
Hate to say it, but fancy girl clothes are kind of an expected thing for the opera... and for a Friday night performance, most especially expected.

If it were a mid-week performance, you could maybe get away with a nice pair of slacks or skirt and a blouse or sweater. And definitely take a jacket if you wear a blouse so that if the interior temperature is cooler than you like (I've been to several theaters that were kept fairly cool) you can adjust.

Goody
 
Posted by Allegra (Member # 6773) on :
 
It depends on the auditorium. On a night where there is an opera just drive by to see what people are wearing, and follow their lead. Where I live the most formal night is Saturday; on Friday's it is usually blouse and skirt.
 
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
 
Heh, yeah, in this university town the operas are distinctly dress down for most people, even though its one of the best opera companies in the nation/world, in one of the best performance venues in the nation.
 
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
 
Couldn't I wear a tasteful yet somewhat feminine suit?
Something stylish that says if I wear a dress I'll wilt?
 
Posted by Allegra (Member # 6773) on :
 
Not if every other woman there is in evening wear.
 
Posted by Mabus (Member # 6320) on :
 
You always...well, almost always...have the option of defying social convention. But that may make people point and laugh. [Wink]
 
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
 
But I'll look so... unsexy in evening wear...
What is evening wear exactly?
 
Posted by Allegra (Member # 6773) on :
 
Hard to describe. Long, full skirt, can't go wrong with black, and generally made with nice fabric.
 
Posted by Allegra (Member # 6773) on :
 
Evening wear
 
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
 
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Not only is it expensive but waaaaay too girly! [Angst] [Cry]
 
Posted by Allegra (Member # 6773) on :
 
If you go to an afternoon performance you can get away with a nice skirt and a sweater.
 
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
 
Ah, no. I should have been born a man. I simply hate dresses and skirts.
With panty hose... itchy things... [Angst]
Prehaps this wasn't a good idea...
but....
 
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
 
You can wear a nice suit to the opera and you will be fine. I tend to still dress formally, but there are always people there in slacks or sweaters or sometimes even jeans... which I would never do, but they're usually younger people, and like you said formal wear is expensive. If you're already paying for opera tickets, which aren't cheap, you probably don't want to go out and buy a formal dress, particularly if you'll never wear it anywhere else. Wear the nicest/closest to formalwear thing that you already own and don't worry about it. People are there to listen to the music, not look at you.

[ September 29, 2004, 11:53 PM: Message edited by: ElJay ]
 
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
 
Agreed, a decent pantsuit would definitely be appropriate. That's what I would normally wear to a weekend matinee or a weeknight performance of an off-Broadway show here in Chicago. Haven't done the opera myself because it's generally not my thing, just seen how people are dressed going in and coming out of the Civic Opera House.

Although if I really do manage tickets to opening night of Spamalot like I want... I might just have to get gussied up for that one.
 


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