How to Appreciate Music and Opera in Stratford
Contents
How to Appreciate Music and Opera in Stratford – A guide for those who want to get the most out of their experience. Discover the best ways to appreciate the music and opera in Stratford, from the comfort of your seat to the backstage tour.
Listening to Music
It can be difficult to appreciate music and opera if you are not used to it. However, there are a few things that you can do in order to appreciate it more. First, it is important to try and understand the plot or story that is being conveyed through the music. Second, pay attention to the lyrics and what they are trying to say. Lastly, try and appreciate the beauty of the music itself.
Turn off all distractions
This is one of the most important things you can do to appreciate music more. You need to be able to invest your undivided attention if you want to experience it fully. So, turn off your phone, silence any notifications, and give the music your full attention.
Listen to the entire song
Most people try to find the best part of the song and listen to that on repeat. You are missing out on the beauty of the entire song if you only focus on one section. The opening may be beautiful and give you a sense of the emotion the singer is trying to portray, but the ending may be even more gorgeous and leave you with a feeling of awe. The instrumental solo in the middle may be what caught your attention at first, but it is important to listen to all parts of the song to appreciate it fully.
Try to identify all the instruments
One of the first things you should do when you’re listening to music is try to identify all the instruments you can hear. This can be a difficult task, especially if you’re not familiar with all the instruments in an orchestra. But it can be a fun challenge, and it will help you appreciate the music more.
If you’re listening to a piece of classical music, see if you can identify the following instruments:
Strings: Violin, viola, cello, bass
Woodwinds: Flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon
Brass: Trumpet, trombone, French horn
Percussion: Timpani, cymbals, snare drum
If you’re listening to an opera, see if you can identify the following voices:
Soprano: The highest female voice
Mezzo-soprano: A lower female voice
Contralto: The lowest female voice
Tenor: The highest male voice
Baritone: A lower male voice
Bass: The lowest male voice
Watching Opera
There is a lot to appreciate about music and opera in Stratford. The first thing to understand is the music itself. The second is the production values. When you put these two together, you get a great experience that can be very moving and enjoyable.
Choose an opera that you are interested in
When first attending the opera, you may want to consider choosing one that you are familiar with. A popular choice is Giuseppe Verdi’s La traviata, which tells the story of a tragic courtesan. Other well-known operas include Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro and Giacomo Puccini’s Madame Butterfly.
That being said, there are many great operas that are not as mainstream. If you are unsure of where to start, ask for recommendations from friends or look up what is playing at your local opera house. Once you have decided on an opera, do some research on the story and main characters beforehand. This will help you understand what is happening on stage and make the experience more enjoyable.
Watch the entire opera
Most operas are based on stories, and these can be long and complicated. It is helpful to know the story before you go to the opera, but it is not essential. You can usually follow the plot by reading the subtitles that are projected above the stage.
It is also a good idea to arrive on time, as operas usually start promptly and there is usually no interval (a break) in the middle. If you do need to leave during an opera, try to wait until there is a suitable break in the action, such as during a scene change or at the end of an act.
When watching an opera, pay attention to the music as well as the singing. A good opera will have wonderful music that you will want to listen to again and again. As you listen, try to identify the different instruments that you can hear. You may also want to read up on the composer and find out more about their other work.
Try to identify all the characters
As you watch the opera, try to identify all of the characters. Make sure to pay attention to their entrances and exits, as well as their interactions with each other. Keeping track of all of the characters can be daunting, but it will help you follow the plot more easily. You can also look up the libretto, or opera script, online before you go so that you can familiarize yourself with the story in advance.
