An opera is a dramatic story that is narrated through song which combines drama, dance, words, art, and music. Though it’s considered to be the most complete form of art, there are many of misconceptions about opera. Some of them are highlighted below.
1. Opera is expensive. This isn’t true - opera tickets are usually not more costly than tickets for classical musical concerts or musical theater productions.
2. Opera is difficult to understand. This also is false, as each audience member receives a booklet before the performance begins. The booklet contains the entire synopsis of the story and shares information about music composers, singers, and other interesting facts. In addition, today's operas often feature a screen above the stage where the lyrics are translated.
3. Operas are not for the younger generations. Some people believe operas are best suited for the older generation because they are based on old stories showcasing life in previous centuries. However, there are many contemporary operas that have exciting and modern twists.
4. Opera performances are long and dull. While some opera performances can be as long as five hours, most are much shorter, especially in Hong Kong, where the average length of an opera is approximately three hours, including a 15-minute break.