Saturday saw WhatsHisFace and I going to the opera for Mozart's "Don Giovanni".
I really enjoy this particular opera. It is dark and morally pointed, yet contains some true moments of puckish humour to lighten it.
Opera Buffo, I believe, is the original description given a few hundred years ago to describe it.
I'll not get into the story here, suffice to say Pacific Opera Victoria did a splendid job of presenting this particular opera.
Their production was visually beautiful (taking place in a large 'grand hall' of an obviously splendid mansion) and thrilling to the ear. The principles were talented and delightful.
Was there anything to complain about?
Fortunately, the opera company itself is above reproach.
Some of those in the audience, however, coulda used some edu-ma-catin'.
Honestly.
Wrinkled shorts coupled with socks and sandals? To the OPERA!?
Simply Scandalous!
Far be it for me to suggest that white tie and tails are required (although it's a lovely holdover) but a tuxedo, and at the very least a suit, should be de rigeur, no?
As WhatsHisFace points out, it seems improper to show up looking less well dressed than the help.
And it certainly doesn't do the fine production any compliment to appear as if one was expecting hot dogs and a baseball game instead of a demonstration of months of practice and talent.
Am I being too fussy?
Well, maybe.
But socks and sandals?
The peasants are revolting.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
23 comments:
THAT is a travesty! They let him IN like that?! Really, what happened to the right to refuse service for inappropriate attire?
Well, anyone who wears socks with sandals has already got three strikes against him, but what kind of boor would actually go to the opera like that? I hope he stood out like a sore thumb and felt really embarrassed.
I'm glad you enjoyed the opera. "Don Giovanni" has been spoofed so many times, it's nice to see it done properly, isn't it? I've heard good things about Pacific Opera Victoria as well.
Josie
(Have you seen the "Titanic" exhibit yet?)
Socks and sandals... good lord, I thought that went out with the sixties. Send his name in to that show that gives some people a fashion sense.
Mozart, so much talent. I just love his Requiem, so much beauty and sadness. I wonder what he would have done had he lived longer.
I always like to dress up for the opera or ballet, but I allow My Sweetie to get by with Dockers and a collared knit shirt. This is Texas after all. We are usually sort of in the 80% I guess. Some people are REALLY dressed up, but the vast majority are in jeans.
Okay, I guess it is up to me to represent the "slummin'" readership of your blog. ;)
First of all, I will NEVER, under no circumstances (including kids coming from their soccer games) approve of any kind of sandals with socks.
However, VERY strict dress codes only preserves gulfs between classes. I have never seen an opera and if I thought I had to rent a tux to go, I probably would NEVER see one. For those who love opera, wouldn't that be a shame?
I do see philharmonic concerts from time to time and see no problem with wearing suits to that. I would never condone wearing ballgame attire to this kind of activity, but if I had to rent a tux, I would have to pick a day when I was part of a wedding party that afternoon so I can parlay the rental price with a two-for-one deal. ;)
"Am I being too fussy?"
Well, this is the opera, and it is your RIGHT to be fussy. In our age of flashing tackiness and "you go girl", let the opera be that one thing - that one hold over to the days of ancient rigidity and tradition, when men tipped their hats and ladies poshed at unsightly ankles. The Opera is sacred, I say. Let no man wear socks and sandals! Outside it is 2007, inside it is 1907! (massive chorus with timpani drums)
Socks and sandals indeed! Inexcusable. Of course you know I concur because I have 'writ large' in this space stating my detestation for those who either do not dress well by choice, or do not dress well out of defiance, or finally do not dress well out of ignorance. The latter is more excusable, but still distasteful.
Ian
I was shocked too Tai when I last went to the opera in Victoria and people were wearing jeans and sloppy T-shirts. And lots of them! I almost felt out-of-place. I don't think one has to wear a tux but a suit or a dress/skirt would be nice.
Don Giovanni is superb and I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. I'd love to go to Seattle to see Puccini's La Boheme this month.
THANK YOU!!!!!!! I am old school and wear dress up clothes to the opera, theatre, ballet and symphony. Hell, I've been known to change out of shorts or jeans into something nicer just to go to the hoo-hah exhibit at the museum. As a favorite woman of mine says, "Any occasion is an occasion to overdress." :)
Thank you! I absolutely abhor the casualness at theatre events. My gf on the other hand . . .
My girlfriend hates it when I dress up for things like that. I wore a double-breasted pinstripe suit to a dance performance, and she gave me grief about it. I get so few opportunities to dress well since my workplace is ultra-casual (wore t-shirt, jeans, and Doc Martens yesterday).
I'm going to go the other way on this one. The ancient Greeks surely knew a thing or two about theatre and opera, and they all went in sandals. Now, mind you, that it was hot and Greece and like 2500 years ago, and not temperate and Victoria and like last week.
Someone who had a bit of panache (or who really didn't give a damn) might go with formal wear and sandals without socks. And those better be some sexy sandals and nice feet.
I'm giving it a maybe, and really only in the right context, but that's just cause I'm being eccentric and French. Or ancient Greek, maybe.
I detest socks and sandals..that and knee socks. One day I'm going to go on a mad spree,pulling down strangers socks!
Next time Tai,next time..I'll get him for ya!
you know there is a time and place for all attire....if that is them...then fine...so be it....but you know...an evening at the opera has always been considered an evening out....and I don't know about you but when I go out for something like that I love to dress for the occassion. Do you think that they just didn't know? Oh that sounds so snobby....but really doesn't etiquette play a role somewhere here?
Well Tai I do think you should dress well to go to the opera but west coast standards seem to be getting sloppier and sloppier.
My husband insists on wearing sox with sandals. He says the sandals pull on the hairs on his toes otherwise which is mighty uncomfortable, so he says. Sigh, too old to change, apparently.
regards
jmb
Yeah, if you are going to such things you should attempt to dress your best. Of course not everyone has a tux, but dressing up is still required.
Toronto has a casual night for the symphony and the opera where people are encouraged to come as you are. I think that is a good idea, but if I am going to such an event I love getting dressed up.
There are absolutely NO situations in which socks and sandels are appropriate. NONE. NOOOOOOOONE.
"The peasants are revolting."
And they smell bad too.
Socks and sandals are insulting to lawn mowing, even, so, yes, your outrage at seeing such a fashion faux pas at the opera is well merited.
Or, to put it differently, ewwwwww.
depends on the sandals I'd say x
Hi Tai
To eliminate the whole "haves" and "Have nots" thing everyone should be required to go to the opera Nekid. That way if the show is boring it would give you something else to look at and people would be less likely to fall asleep being in such a compromised position. Nekid with sandals and socks would still be a bad thing unless you were extremely good looking in which case no one would notice your feet...
Will I be allowed to ever comment here again if I say I've often gone to the opera in jeans? And sandals. But never socks and sandals... mea culpa, mea maxima culpa
Just worried about you. I hope everything is okay with you.
Post a Comment