What should we wear to the opera?
Business attire is the norm for opera, but anything goes, from jeans to your favorite evening gown! You’ll see more formal attire on opening night and at Saturday night performances; the mid-week performance and Sunday matinees tend to be a bit more casual. However, the rule of thumb is simple: If it makes you feel like a million bucks, wear it!

Where is the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts?
The Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts is located on a site between Woodall Rodgers Freeway and Ross Avenue at the eastern end of the Arts District in Downtown Dallas, next door to the Meyerson Symphony Center.

Where do we park to access the Winspear Opera House?
Detailed information about parking at the facility will be finalized and announced late this summer (2009). In addition to 850 new spaces in two underground parking garages located immediately below the Center, a wide variety of paid parking options are available in and around the new opera house, from area surface lots and street parking downtown to already existing parking garages located beneath the Arts District and Cathedral Guadalupe. Other close parking options for the Winspear Opera House include One Arts Plaza and Trammel Crow Center, off Ross Avenue.

Tell us more about the new opera house.
Designed by Foster + Partners under Pritzker Prize-winning architect Norman Foster, the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House has been engineered specifically for performances of opera and musical theater with its stages equipped for performances of ballet and other forms of dance. A 21st century reinterpretation of the traditional "horseshoe" opera house, the Winspear Opera House's principal performance space, the Margaret McDermott Performance Hall, will seat 2,200 (with capacity up to 2,300) and will feature retractable screens, a spacious fly-tower and variable acoustics. The Winspear Opera House will also include the Nancy Hamon Education and Recital Hall, a space that can be used for smaller performances seating audiences up to 200, as well as classes, rehearsals, meetings and events. For additional information, visit the Center’s website here.

Should we eat before we go?
Most operas last an entire afternoon or evening. While a variety of drinks are served at intermission, it’s a good idea to eat beforehand, if you have the time. Pre-performance dining options are available in a café and restaurant located in the Winspear Opera House or at restaurants located in nearby Uptown and throughout the downtown Arts District.

Will they be singing in English?
Not unless the opera happens to be English or American. The Dallas Opera has traditionally performed operas in their original languages. This isn’t a hurdle for contemporary audiences because easy-to-read English translations are projected above the stage throughout every performance, even if sung in English. You’ll never ever be left in the dark!

Can I purchase a ticket at the door?
Although some sections of the Winspear Opera House are sold-out for specific performances, good seats are still available for would-be subscribers. Single tickets will be available at the door for a slightly higher price than advance purchase tickets, unless the performance is already sold-out. For additional information, contact the friendly The Dallas Opera Ticket Services staff at 214.443.1000.

I have an extra ticket, what can I do with it?
Bring a friend, neighbor, co-worker or loved one and treat them to a fabulous new experience! If that simply isn’t possible, you are welcome to donate your extra ticket up to one hour prior to curtain for a tax deduction equal to the amount you paid. Call The Dallas Opera Ticket Services Office during regular business hours at 214-443-1000. Your receipt for your ticket donation will be mailed to you in January.

We’re not sure we can get there on time. Is this a problem?
We regret to inform you that there is NO LATE SEATING for any performance of The Dallas Opera. This is a courtesy to both the singers and other members of the audience. If you should happen to arrive after the opera has begun, you will be asked to view the performance on a closed-circuit television monitor, conveniently located in the lobby, until first intermission. In order to get the most out of your opera experience, it’s really important to arrive prior to curtain time. Evening performances typically begin at 7:30 pm and matinées at 2:00 pm.

I’d rather not drive – do I have an option?
Yes, indeed! Whether you’re coming from far North Dallas or the other side of the Trinity River, you can arrive at the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House by DART rail, exiting at the Pearl Street DART station located just a few short blocks from the Grand Portico.

Okay, we got here early. What is there to do?
Congratulate yourself! You’ll be cool, calm and collected when the curtain goes up. The Dallas Opera offers a FREE informational discussion in the auditorium (sit anywhere you like) one hour prior to each performance. Pre-performance dining options are located in a café and restaurant within the Winspear Opera House and at nearby One Arts Plaza, in Uptown and elsewhere within the Arts District. Be sure to stroll the Grand Lobby and the Grand Portico, or check out the activity in nearby Annette Strauss Artist Square, as well as the soon-to-be-constructed Elaine D. and Charles A. Sammons Park. People-watching is definitely part of the fun!

What about after we take our seats?
First and foremost, relax! It’s time to let go of the stresses and strains of the day and reward yourself. Some people like to take the minutes before a performance to share an intimate conversation with their seatmate. Others prefer to look over the program book, read the synopsis or articles designed to enhance the opera-going experience, or find out how many intermissions they can expect. Don’t forget to turn off your cellphone and if you plan to have a lozenge or hard candy handy to soothe a ticklish throat, now’s the time to fish it out of your purse.

How long will the performance last?
It depends on the production. In general, you can expect an opera to last between two-and-a-half and three hours, including intermissions. Works by certain composers, like Richard Wagner, can run longer.

When should I applaud?
Whenever you feel like it. No – just kidding! The only thing better than giving a great performance, is to have it acknowledged by an appreciative audience. However, your applause needs to wait until the performer has finished singing. If in doubt, hold your applause until the people around you begin to clap. If you are extra enthusiastic about what you’ve just heard, feel free to shout “Bravo!” if the singer is a man, and “Brava!” for a lady. Of course, there is always applause at the end of each act and opportunities for curtain calls, stamping, whistling and standing ovations at the end of each opera. Go for it!

Is it okay to laugh?
Yes, certainly! If it’s funny!

What can we expect at intermission?
Intermissions at The Dallas Opera are twenty minutes long, unless the program indicates otherwise. You are encouraged to purchase additional tickets at the box office (open during the first intermission) or relax and enjoy a drink with your friends. Announcements will let you know that the intermission is ending and it’s time to turn off your cellphone and return to your seat. Once the doors are closed, you will not be allowed to enter the performance hall.

What if I have to leave the auditorium during the performance?
Please try to do so as discreetly and quietly as possible, for the sake of other patrons. And be aware that once you have left the auditorium, we cannot allow you to return until the next intermission; however, you are welcome to sit and view the performance on a closed-circuit monitor in the lobby.

How will we know when the opera is over?
There are two clues to watch for: a wild outpouring of applause, cheers, and whistles and – simultaneously – the sight of select audience members sprinting up the aisles at the speed of light. If you feel elated following the performance, show it! Now’s your chance to cheer, whistle and stomp to your heart’s content! The artists love it, of course.

Where can I find out more about this opera?
Start here or ask at your local library. And welcome, to the incredible world of opera!