Enjoying Opera: Knowledge, Language, and Personal Preference

Many people wonder if they need to have prior knowledge of an opera to fully appreciate its performance. The short answer is no; a good performance, an open mind, and an attentive ear are often enough to make the experience enjoyable. However, understanding the different aspects of opera—logos, ethos, and pathos—can enhance your enjoyment significantly.

Understanding Opera: Logos, Ethos, and Pathos

The basic role of art is to transmit information, foster a sense of character, and evoke emotions. In the context of opera, these elements are known as logos, ethos, and pathos. Logos refers to the information conveyed, ethos pertains to the character of the music, and pathos evokes emotions in the listener.

Pathos is the most accessible to most listeners because music has a direct impact on the listener's brain. Ethos and logos, on the other hand, require a more analytical mind to fully appreciate. Having some familiarity with the opera's history, style, and context can enhance the enjoyment of ethos and logos. However, unnecessary prior knowledge, especially about the plot, can sometimes diminish the experience.

Personal Enjoyment and Stage Directing

It's important to approach an opera with an open and attentive mindset. Stage directors play a crucial role in bringing an opera to life, but their methods can vary widely. Some directors, often referred to as 'regietheater' directors, may introduce Freudian analysis or other interpretations, which can either enhance or detract from the experience.

Regietheater, while intended to bring new dimensions to opera, can often oversimplify or overcomplicate the viewing experience. These directors frequently focus on political or cultural issues, which can dilute the musical essence of the opera. In Anna Russell’s brilliant satire, she covers the entire Ring cycle in just 20 minutes, highlighting how predictable and nonsensical opera plots can be.

While regietheater can be a fascinating subject, its frequent use of vulgarity and pseudo-intellectualism can often detract from the emotional and musical core of the opera. Some may find these productions to be a waste of time, using public money unnecessarily. Despite this, it’s always important to remember that these opinions are subjective and personal.

Understanding the Language and Surtitles

Another common concern is understanding the language of the opera. While spoken language can be challenging, the arias and melodies often provide more than enough emotional and musical substance. If you do not know the language, relying on surtitles can be a good workaround. For instance, Italian is generally the easiest to follow, while English can be particularly difficult for even native speakers.

If you are watching a comedy, using surtitles is even more critical as they can help you catch the nuances and subtleties of the libretto that might otherwise be lost in translation or interpretation. However, even without prior knowledge of the language, most listeners can derive significant enjoyment from the music and the overall performance.

Plot and Prior Knowledge

When it comes to knowing the plot or libretto beforehand, the answer is generally no. Opera plots, unlike plays or movies, are often predictable and nonsensical, existing primarily to provide a framework for the music. Precise prior knowledge might spoil the experience for some, as it can lead to a rigid interpretation of the performance.

Consider iCavaradossis famous aria from Tosca, E lucevan le stelle. This aria is an emotional and musical masterpiece, and its impact can be significantly enhanced by a proper understanding of its context. However, whether or not you know the exact plot point it references, the emotional and musical journey remains a powerful experience.

Ultimately, approaching an opera with an open mind, an attentive ear, and a willingness to let the music move you, can provide a deeply rewarding experience. Prior knowledge can certainly enhance this experience, but it is not mandatory. Let the opera and the performance do the talking, and you will find much to enjoy.