New York is a wonderful city, isn't it? It has so much to offer, like food from all different parts of the world, shopping centers for days, miles on miles on miles to walk or bike, sports centers, concerts like every single day, bars, clubs, bookstores and among other things –– opera shows! This weekend I went to my first opera concert. I was a little apprehensive at the beginning because I didn't know if I was going to like it, especially when I thought about how the average opera show is long –– like three and a half hours long. But to my relief, I loved it and now I am here to convince you to check one out! But first, here's how you should prepare yourself for the opera. You can thank me later.

Make sure you have an adequate outfit for the opera.

Some people go way too dressed up; I’m talking gowns and beautiful shoes, and other people go way too dressed down like sneakers and jeans, but those are just a few. The majority are dressed well, formal, but not over the top. So if you find yourself in New York City make sure you have at least one nice outfit to wear to the opera, like a dress and flats or a nice button down and dress shoes for guys, and you’ll be golden.

Background information.

Doing a little research will save your life because then you will actually know what is going on. Before the show, check out the opera’s website and read the prologue and the summaries they have for each act so you know what you are seeing and how the storyline goes (especially since the opera is often in another language).

Buy tickets.

You can either buy tickets online or at the opera house. If you are a student, tickets are cheaper because we get a special discount and good seats! So definitely take advantage of that!

Eat something beforehand.

Unless you feel like buying very over-priced snacks inside. Seriously though, a bag of M&M’s was $8. I could buy like seven bags at Walmart for that price.

Sh!

Just in case you were wondering, yes, people do clap a lot during the opera but that is when there is a clear moment to do so during the performance. The rest of the time everybody is dead quiet, so don't be that one person that is ‘whispering’ during the acts.

Silence your phone.

Because literally nobody wants to be that one person that interrupts the performance with a phone going off with a super lame ringtone.

Pay attention to the opera.

Even though it might be in another language you can kind of get the feeling of what is happening by paying attention to the scenery and the acting of the opera singers.

Read the subtitles.

It will make understanding the story a lot easier! Every seat has a little screen in front of it for subtitles and you can choose what language you want your subtitles to be in, English, Spanish, German or Italian.

Enjoy it.

Even if it is your first time and even if you are not very into it try to enjoy it as much as you can. It is a great experience and it might change your mind about operas and ballets and classical arts. If you don't give it a chance you wont know if you like it or not –– it's that simple.

Talk about it with your friends or family.

Let others know how you liked the experience and maybe make them a little jealous too (sorry mom). It will make you think about what you just saw a little bit more and maybe you will realize that you actually enjoyed it more than you thought you did.

So yeah, definitely try to go see an opera show! I loved it, it was so much fun and I felt so cultured and part of a different group of people than the one I am used to.