Discussion»Questions»Human Behavior» Someone gives you two tickets to the opera, and formal attire is required/expected for the audience members. What do you do? ~
Damn nearly. I was supposed to be the understudy for the role of Papageno in Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute), when the company's lead baritone came down with lurgy on the eve of opening night - pitching an untried 19-year-old into the lead role. Here's what the local paper had to say ... "Where did this boy get his voice? Sings with the power, tone and control of a man three times his age. No child has a right to a voice like that, he's a spotty-faced teenager, for crying out loud. Pity the kid can't act."
Unless it were a benefit or other special occasion when a particular organization bought the house or a block of seats and decided to go formal it would not be necessary any longer. Days of dressing formally are over unless you are into that kind of thing. We don't even own formal wear. We attend operas a few times a year but dress casually.