Ten Commandments of Opera Etiquette

Recently found in a dusty old file in the opera offices and copied here just as it is on the typed (!) page:

Coming to the opera is an enjoyable and fulfilling experience! But it can be enhanced by the awareness of 10 simple rules of behaviour and courtesy to follow when attending a performance.

1 Thou Shall not TALK
The first and greatest commandment. Stay home if you aren't in the mood to give full attention to what is being performed on stage.

2. Thou Shall Not SING, HUM, OR TAP FINGERS AND FEET
The conductor's job is to keep time to the music, the musicians don't need your help and your neighbors need silence.

3. Thou Shall Not RUSTLE THY PROGRAM
Restless readers and page skimmers aren't good listeners and greatly distract those around them.

4. Thou Shall Not CRACK THY GUM IN THY NEIGHBOR'S EAR
The noise is completely inexcusable and usually unconscious. The sight of elegant ladies and gentlemen chewing their cud is a revolting and anti-aesthetic experience.

5. Thou Shall Not JANGLE THY JEWELRY
Owners are usually immune, but the added percussion is disturbing to all.



6. Thou Shall Not OPEN CANDY OR COUGH DROPS
Next to talking, the sixth commandment is the most serious offense to auditorium peace. If you have a bad throat, unwrap your throat lozenges between acts or musical selections. If caught off guard open the sweet quickly. Trying to be quiet by opening it slowly only prolongs the torture for everyone around you.

7. Thou Shall Not SNAP OPEN AND CLOSE THY PURSE
This problem used to apply only to women. But today, men are often equal offenders. Leave purses and opera glass cases unlatched during the performance.

8. Thou Shall Not SIGH WITH BOREDOM
If you are in agony - keep it to yourself. Your neighbor just may be in ecstacy - which should also be kept under quiet control.

9. Thou Shall Not READ
During an operatic performance, it is usually too dark to read. To listen means just that. Notes, synopses, and biographies should be read before the lights go down.

10. Thou Shall Not ARRIVE LATE OR LEAVE EARLY
It is unfair to the artists and the public to demand seating when one is late or to depart early. Most performances have scheduled times, try to abide by them.

There are a number of other points of course, and each reader will have a pet peeve we have omitted. However if just these were obeyed, going to performances would be the joy it was intended to be and we all would emerge more refreshed.

~ edited from Byron Belt's "Opera Etiquette"


So what do YOU think of these commandments dear readers? There is certainly a diversity of opinion here in the offices. Care to weigh in with yours?