Etiquette: The Opera
The Basics: The
Opera
The Opera is a classy place and your consideration is entitled
to others in the audience as well as the performers. Basic principles of public
conduct apply at an Opera as well as other indoor entertainments. Here are a
few tips to keep in mind; don’t draw attention to yourself by noisy or
conspicuous behavior.
Box seats at a theatre....
The gentlemen should help the ladies take off their coats; if in a box, the gentlemen nearest to the curtain draws it back, dividing the anteroom from the box; the ladies enter first followed by the gentlemen. One of duties of the gentlemen is to make sure the curtain at the back of the box remains tightly closed so the light from the anteroom doesn’t shine on the faces of others in the audience. Between the acts, both ladies and gentlemen should visit their friends in other boxes, but the lady should always have an escort; never should they be left in the box alone. Everyone must return to their box as soon as the signal is given for the raising of the curtain, it is frustrating for the performers and audience if people come in once the performance has resumed. An enthusiastic audience may applaud at the end of an aria and, of course, after each curtain, but not for the entrances or exits of a performer.
Nowhere is greater dignity of manner required than in a box at the opera.
-- Emily Post, 1922
“The Palace Garnier, still known to many as the “Paris Opera”, was the world’s largest theatre and opera house when it was opened January 5th, 1875”
Categories: Etiquette
Tags: etiqutte opera gentleman paris garnier aria anteroom box seats
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