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Why Opera is the Ultimate Art Form for Nerds

Simple.

Music.

Vocal line.

Sung Language (usually not English).

Subtitles/Supratitles (usually a choice of several, in addition to the one sung)

Amazing sets.

Amazing lighting.

Props.

Costumes.

Unusual Instrumentation.

Multiple Actors/Actresses/Singers/Supernumeraries.

They unfold over time in a dynamic fashion.

The opposite of catchy pop music.

The strict linear narrative is messed with for the sake of art and beauty.

Intermission involves people-watching to match the costumes onstage.

An unusual take on perhaps a well known story.

Sitting in a darkened room with thousands of others who are seeing/hearing exactly the same thing that you are.  Not a million different things, like on the train to work.  Or the phenomenon of Sunday night tv/Monday morning watercooler.

All the above things thrown together into one experience.  You can learn the score ahead of time, you can watch video after.  But the moment of being an audience member challenges you to take everything in at once.  Awesome.

(Watching a live stream of Phillip Glass' opera "The Perfect American".  About Walt Disney.)



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