Opera FAQs
Here are some questions people ask all the time. Have a question that’s not asked or answered here? Feel free to give us a call at 412-281-0912.
- What should I wear?
- How much do tickets cost?
- How can I understand what they’re singing about?
- How long will the opera be?
- What’s a good show for opera newbies this season?
- Is it OK to bring kids to the opera? So what’s a good show for kids this season?
- Is there any special etiquette I should know about?
- Is Pittsburgh Opera still performing at the Benedum Center this season?
- Can I park near the theater?
- What time should I show up at the theater?
- How can I learn more about the productions?
- Do you have services for people with visual impairments?
- Where’s the theater? Where’s the box office? What about wheelchair access?
What should I wear?
On Saturdays – opening nights – some men like to wear a tuxedo, and the ladies might step out in a special dress. But just wear whatever makes you feel comfortable. On weeknights people often show up in what they wore to the office that day, and on Fridays and Sundays, we get everything from dressy to jeans.
How much do tickets cost?
This season, our single tickets start at just $10 each and go up to $150 each. Full subscriptions for the mainstage shows at the Benedum start at just $43! Click here to explore subscription options.
How can I understand what they’re singing about?
Easy! You can read the English texts projected above the stage, just like subtitles at the movies. You can also read the story ahead of time or come early enough to read it in your program book. Whether you prepare or not, you'll understand every word!
How long will the opera be?
About the same amount of time as a long movie. Most operas are between 2-1/2 and 3 hours, including intermissions. The shortest opera we know of is 13 minutes long, and the longest one takes 7 days! You can find the running time for each opera we present on its web page.
What’s a good show for opera newbies this season?
We have several answers for this question.
If you have to choose only one (we hope you don't - we have subscriptions starting at $43!), and you want the ultimate, classic opera experience, go with Turandot. It’s got famous, familiar music by Puccini; a fantastic cast; and it's a big splashy show that will leave you simply intoxicated. Listen to excerpts, check out the cast, and read the story on this page.
Prefer a comedy? The Barber of Seville is a terrific opera that will have you laughing your way into the new season. It's Rossini's best-known (and most-parodied) opera, and for good reason. It has Keystone Kops-like action, lots of laughter, another fantastic cast, that very famous "Figaro, Figaro, Figaro" aria, and our production has an especially amazing set. Listen to the excerpts, see the cast, and read the story on this page.
If you’ve never been to an opera before but believe that music can be life-changing, then come to Dialogues of the Carmelites in April/May. It's the incredibly moving story of 16 Carmelite nuns who died for their faith during the Reign of Terror in France, and one young novice who has a "revolution" of her own. Listen to excerpts, see the cast, and read the story (based on actual events) on this page.
Is it OK to bring kids to the opera?
Of course! We have kids who come to our student matinees and then make their parents come back so they can see the show again. The main thing is that your child should be able to sit quietly for long periods of time. Third or fourth graders are usually fine, but parents are the best judge.
Kids do best if you prepare them in advance. Tell them the story of the opera, play some of the music, or check out a video from the library. Have your little Warhols and Cassatts draw pictures of their favorite characters or imagine what the set might be like. Be creative!
Some operas – OK, most operas have adult themes. Murder, revenge, lust – all that stuff we grown-ups find so interesting...like in Lucia di Lammermoor.
So what’s a good show for kids this season?
The most family-friendly opera this season is The Barber of Seville. It has a lot of action, the kids may recognize tunes from cartoons, things move quickly and it's funny. This is the "prequel" to The Marriage of Figaro, the story of how the Count and Countess Almaviva got together. And no one dies! If it were a movie, it would probably receive a PG rating.
Dialogues of the Carmelites would be good for older kids. It's a great introduction to that period in history, the French language and literature, and the French Revolution. It's a serious yet uplifting story, based on true events. If it were a movie, it would probably receive a PG rating - there are offstage deaths and some mild violence on stage.
If you want your child to have the dramatic experience of Lucia di Lammermoor, be sure to prepare them for a simulated death offstage (but a good bit of fake blood onstage) and an adult love story. We'd estimate a PG-13 rating on this one.
Likewise, if you think your child is ready for the exotic and mysterious Turandot, prepare them for a simulated execution and evidence of previous executions (many times, decapitated heads on stakes are part of the production). Again, PG-13.
Is there any special etiquette I should know about?
A little common courtesy is all you need. It probably bothers you when people talk and rattle their candy wrappers at the movies, or show up late, or get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the show. Same here. And if you’re not sure when to clap, just wait until everybody else does. If you really like what you hear, yell, “Bravo!” Or just cheer!
Is Pittsburgh Opera still performing at the Benedum Center this season?
Yes! Our mainstage productions are at the Benedum Center, and the Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist production of Rinaldo will be at the CAPA Theater.
If you’ve heard about a change of location, that’s because we have new headquarters at 2425 Liberty Avenue in the Strip District. See the map below for our new building. You can visit us here to see free Brown Bag Concerts on the second Saturday of each month at noon in October 2010-April 2011 and for other fun programs, like Art Song Recitals, Master Classes, Opera Up Close and education programs. Come see us! There is free parking on streets nearby, as well as a paid lot next to the Harp & Fiddle on Penn Avenue between 24th and 25th Streets.
Can I park near the theater?
The closest parking is right across the street from the Benedum Center, at the big blue Theater Square Garage (7th and Penn Ave). Pittsburgh Opera subscribers can buy parking vouchers for any or all of their performances for just $7 each. These really come in handy when there’s a lot going on downtown because you are guaranteed a spot. To buy vouchers, or for a list of other garages, call 412-281-0912.
What time should I show up at the theater?
If you don’t have time to enjoy our free Pre-Opera Talk one hour before each showtime, we suggest you arrive 30 - 45 minutes before the start time in order to find parking, order intermission drinks ahead of time and find your seat. If you arrive late, the ushers may need to seat you elsewhere until intermission.
How can I learn more about the productions?
We’ve got lots of ways to get you tuned in. Try the free Pre-Opera Talks with Kristin Gatch in the Benedum Center one hour before every curtain. You'll hear the story of the opera, some background about the composer, and maybe some behind-the-scenes stories. The Pre-Opera Talks are on the Main Floor of the Benedum Center.
Meet the Artists after each Tuesday performance. Come to the lower lobby of the Benedum Center for refreshments and enjoy great coversation as the singers, conductor and General Director Christopher Hahn talk about the production and their experiences. You may be surprised to see how funny and down-to-earth these artists really are.
Can’t wait until showtime? Then tune in to 89.3 FM for WQED’s Pittsburgh Opera Preview Show.
Gotta have the information right now? Check out the 2010-2011 season pages for the opera you’re interested in and explore! You’ll find the story, musical excerpts, interviews, photos, and other features. If that’s still not enough, give us a call – 412-281-0912.
Do you have services for people with visual impairments?
Yes! Audio commentary is available for people with visual impairments during Tuesday performances at the Benedum Center. Using Infrared hearing devices, people can hear the supertitles read along with descriptions of the set, characters, and costumes. We also have Braille and large-print program summaries for you. To arrange seating and take advantage of special pricing for you and your companion, call Randy Adams ahead of time at 412-281-0912 ext. 213. For other accessibility information, click here.
Where’s the theater? Where’s the box office? What about wheelchair access?
The Benedum Center is Pittsburgh Opera's principal stage, at the corner of Penn & 7th Street in downtown Pittsburgh.
For more information about the Benedum Center, click one of these:
Click here to get directions to Benedum Center or CAPA Theater, or call Pittsburgh Opera 412-281-0912.
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