Opera vs Theater Etiquette

As a rule, greater elegance in dress is demanded at the opera.

There is little difference in the etiquette of the opera and the theater, except that the opera season is shorter, and for this reason is usually a fashionable diversion while it lasts, and, as a rule, greater elegance in dress is demanded. There are only a few important rules that need to be observed on ordinary occasions at the theater. Unless a box is to be occupied it is inconvenient to adopt the custom that some people have of coming in after the curtain has arisen, as this disturbs all the people in the vicinity of the late comers. 

During the performance absolute quiet must be maintained, for, although you many be enjoying yourself, the laughing and talking are annoying to those around who would undoubtedly prefer to listen to the play. – Sacramento Union, 1909

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Moderator and Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Opera Etiquette Humor

Tell those around you how much better the opera was done at the Grand Opera in Paris. You will thus get a reputation as a savant.

Rules of Etiquette for the Opera

Arrive late and take your seat ostentatiously. Calmly survey the house and remark in a ringing voice that there seems to be a very ordinary lot of people present. You will thus impress people with a sense of your importance.

If you see friends in another part of the house, wave your arms gracefully in token of recognition and tell the dress circle how well yon think "Gladys" is looking. It will please the audience if you thus take them into your confidence.

Tell a few sprightly anecdotes about prominent singers who have met you and confide in those within fifity feet of your seat that Caruso doesn't seem to be in as good form as he was three years ago.

Keep up a running fire of comment during the solos, passing blithely from topic to topic until you have exhausted them. If the hoi polloi glare at you simply smile pityingly at them, for they know no better.

Yawn ostentaciously once in a while in order that the common people may infer that you have attended Grand Opera so often, that it has become a bore. Tell those around you how much better the opera was done at the Grand Opera in Paris. You will thus get a reputation as a savant.

By following these simple instructions you will be enabled to create a pleasant diversion for those on the stage and break up the tedium of those who came to hear the music. — John T. McCutcheon, 1911

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Moderator and Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia