I am a total opera noob. No reason to pretend otherwise. Having wanted to attend for decades, I have finally and recently been to two operas, the second one with my children because my ten year old was jealous of my first operatic adventure. He NEEDED to get dressed up for the opera. There was a top hat involved, it was Glorious. The productions are beautiful, the cast is top talent, the sets and costumes are fun and delightful in both color and composition, the accompanying symphony is fun and excellently conducted, and the visionary interpretation of classics that comes across the stage has twice now made me look forward to putting opera in my budget. I don't know if it's the norm for productions, but the fact that there are basic sub titles has made this accessible for anyone wanting to dip their toes in the artistic waters. Including my kids (who are old enough to sit through an opera to be fair). The attitude of the people attending is a celebration of variety. The casual to the epically dressed, it is welcoming and joyful. The extra informational talks don't hurt my feelings when wanting to understand the artistry behind the origin of the work, and it's a no pressure, high entertainment process. I love that they have seats you can return to now if you have to step out so you don't miss the show until you can get back to your spot at the appropriate time. They really do try to accommodate all ages, sensory issues, and interests. They are bringing opera to the people, and the people love it. read more