Try Opera Glasses To View The Show
Opera glasses are also called theater binoculars. They are compact and low powered devices used for optical magnification at performances. Originally they were used at operas. The magnification of opera glasses is usually about a 3x power and is always under 5x. This is necessary due to light constraints.
In some ways, opera glasses may look like binoculars. They are however designed for use indoors. They are useful for those at an opera or other performance who have seats that are seated in the back of the theater or in the balconies. The give the theater goers the ability to see the stage from the locations that are far away.
However, opera glasses are not true binoculars from an optical point of view. Binoculars are actually a pair of telescopes. The overall length of the telescopes is made possible by an optical process called folding which uses mirrors to shorten the length. Opera glasses, use a convex lens as the objective lens and a concave lens for the eyepiece. Although the image is not as high a quality as with binoculars, it is produced upright using only two lenses instead of the multiple lenses necessary with the binoculars.
The design of opera glasses is so that they are small. They should not be obtrusive or distracting to other theater goers. Some models are designed to fold so that they easily fit into the pocket or purse.
Use of opera glasses can take some getting used to. One suggestion is to try an inexpensive rental of opera glasses. They are often available at the larger operas. If you rent before you buy, you will know if opera glasses help you to enjoy the show.
During the nineteenth century, opera goers used spectacles that had a long handle called a lorgnette. These glasses were more ornamental than useful. The lorgnette was preferred to spectacles by some of the more fashionable ladies. Some of the fancier opera glasses that are used today are shaped after the lorgnette of that time.
The use of opera glasses is truly a personal choice. They may be helpful in following the story line for some patrons however others find them to be annoying and unnecessary to follow the story line. The other factor may be the seat that you choose. While better seating may be more expensive, it often offers a much better view of the show without requiring the use of opera glasses.
Jeff B. has always loved the theater and opera, he currently helps run an opera glasses retail site where they sell opera glasses. Including Opera Glasses with handle, flashlight, chain and more!
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