Opera Carmen - My First Opera Experience

I’m watching a lecture about 19th Century Orchestra. As I was learning how an orchestra works and how musical layers come together, I wanted to listen with this perspective. So I started browsing for orchestral events.

While looking through events, Carmen came up. I realized I had never been to an opera before. I guess I had been postponing it for “perfect” first experience. I had heard of Carmen before, and since it was the closest upcoming performance, I bought tickets.

I immediately realized that going to the opera is not just about watching a performance. Even as we got out of the Uber across the street, we noticed the lively atmosphere. There was a small cocktail area. The email had already mentioned a pre-show talk as well. It made you feel like the audience was also part of the event. The people were just as interesting as the stage. Some were dressed quite casually, some were elegant, and some looked like they were attending a gala. I really liked this variety. It felt like there was no single correct dress code. Next time, I may dress up a bit more. Also, planning a girls’ night out at the opera can be such a fun experience.

Seeing how the music intertwined with the emotions on stage was much more powerful than I expected. Music alone is already strong, but when it merges with a character’s emotions on stage, it becomes even more meaningful. Watching how the performers’ movements change with the rhythm doubles the emotional impact. That synchronization keeps you engaged. In short, if you enjoy orchestral music, watching it staged with a story and dedicating a few hours fully immersed in it is truly enjoyable.

I didn’t think much when buying the ticket but later I realized that choosing the show is actually more important than I thought. Because the experience depends a lot on the connection you build with the story. After the show, we talked about how the story didn’t fully draw us in. We asked ourselves whether we should evaluate this work only within the context of the time it was written. This is because Carmen was quite striking in its time. It even caused a sensation as one of the first operas to depict a murder on stage. But today, in a world where we are exposed to much more intense and even real imagery, the impact doesn’t feel the same. This made me think that maybe when choosing a performance, it shouldn’t be based solely on it being a classic. It’s better to choose a story that genuinely interests you. It could be a more modern piece or a comedy. The point is not just going but being able to connect with the story.

The stage design and costumes were among the most exciting parts of the show. The way the set and lighting changed with the progression of the play, how the costumes reflected the characters, and noticing these details and connecting them to the story really keeps you engaged.

If you’ve recently moved to a new country or city, keeping up with artistic activities like opera can be a wonderful way to connect with the new place.

Long story short, if you’ve never been to an opera before, you should definitely give it a try but pay attention to whether the story truly draws you in. Because what makes the experience special is not just what’s happening on stage, but the connection you build with it.

It wasn’t a perfect first experience, but we’re already thinking about the next performance we’ll attend. This time, we’re planning to go to something more contemporary.