Going to the Opera

[Euclid]

A friend of mine gotten the part of Mimi in La Boheme, to be performed this friday and has invited me to attend with some very nice box seats. Obviously this requires the attendee to dress and act properly. A few questions in this regard.

I understand that jeans and flannel may not be appropriate attire, but is a Tux needed to be dressed properly? Will a jacket and tie suffice? Im not wild about the idea of springing for a tux rental, but will do if needed.

More pertinently id like to send her a bouquet. What is an appropriate floral selection for this occasion? I understand that yellow flowers are traditionally good luck though roses may be over the top as we are fairly casual friends, associates through respective significant others.
Im thinking yellow lillies.
Any input on a bouquet?

All input will be appreciated.

 

[Timmy Dee]

A tux is definitely not necessary - a sharp evening suit will suffice (obviously if you are seeing an opera @ La Scala or the like, it would be different). They say you can never be overdressed in a tuxedo, but I think you'll be less than inconspicuous.

As so far as the bouquet is concerned - I place almost no currency in the colour of the flowers. Yes, red roses are usually associated with romance, but they are also the traditional flowers to say 'congratulations'. As long as there is more than one red rose, I doubt she'll misconstrue your intentions.

However they are damned expensive, so calla lillies like you suggested are a good alternative. Pad them out with some foliage (magnolia leaves and monstera leaves) and you have an attractive, inexpensive and not-at-all-cliche bouquet.

 

[mparker762]

Wife and I used to hold season tickets to the Houston Grand Opera, so I'll pitch in.

A friend of mine gotten the part of Mimi in La Boheme, to be performed this friday and has invited me to attend with some very nice box seats. Obviously this requires the attendee to dress and act properly. A few questions in this regard.

She dies at the end. Very touching scene. Bring a hanky.

I understand that jeans and flannel may not be appropriate attire, but is a Tux needed to be dressed properly? Will a jacket and tie suffice? Im not wild about the idea of springing for a tux rental, but will do if needed.

Jacket and Tie are fine. Opera companies know that they cannot flourish catering only to those that have tuxes in their closet. There may well be people in the audience in flannel and jeans without complaint or sideways glances from their neighbors, or maybe that's just a Houston thing. But it's still nice to dress up a bit, if you've got it in your closet already.

Edit: I just noticed you're in west texas. There may well be people who show up still with mud on their boots. Wife & I went to see Handel's Messiah back in December, this was the full production (4+ hrs), and there were everything from tuxes all the way to hip-hop guys with their sweatpants down around their knees among the audience. You'd be surprised sometimes how broad the appeal for some of this stuff really is. Bugs Bunny really did a surprising amount for opera - if you remember "What's Opera, Doc?" then Tannheuser can be a surreal experience (not that it isn't fairly surreal anyway...)

 

[richmondesi]

I've entertained very sophisticated surgeons by going to the opera, and all we wore was a nice suit, and we were fine (Dallas)

 

[Zenas]

A nice suit should suffice.

Regarding flowers, you could be different and send Stargazer Lillies. They smell awesome.

 

[tg16]

She dies at the end. Very touching scene. Bring a hanky.


"What's Opera, Doc?" then Tannheuser can be a surreal experience (not that it isn't fairly surreal anyway...)

I teared up when Elmer Fudd was singing that extremely sad part where he "killed da wabbit".

 

[Austin]

Are you going to a performance in Midland, El Paso, Amarillo or Lubbock? Nevertheless, a nice suit would do nicely. A spring bouquet would give you points with your little lady. Enjoy.

 

[L. Martino]

A friend of mine gotten the part of Mimi in La Boheme, to be performed this friday and has invited me to attend with some very nice box seats.?

All input will be appreciated.

Hiya.

Oh man, that's a beautiful opera.....have you seen it before? If not, you might like to familiarize yourself with the story line. These old time operas had a lot of good dialogue and it's sorta fun to read a libretto in advance to understand things a little better.

Should be a nice evening.......might not even have to bring a book.

Martin