Friday, December 25, 2009

Opera Glasses- A Closer Look

By Jeff Bridges

The invention of opera glasses was a godsend for many theater goers. It was becoming increasingly difficult for theater-goers in the 1800's to view what was happening on stage. Theaters were growing increasingly large and seats in or near the front row were very expensive. The Paris Opera House, for example, was finished in 1875 and featured 2200 seats. It was a massive building at the time.

It went far beyond simply getting a good look at the stage from the affordable seats. If you were at the opera you were also there to be seen. This was because it was an important social event. Because of this, many people spent just as much time looking at the audience as they did the stage. A simple and fashionable way of magnifying the action was needed and opera glasses were invented.

Opera glasses rapidly became status symbols and ways for people to show off their wealth. If you had the money to attend the opera you wanted others to know it. And a great deal of business was conducted at intermission as well. A huge portion of the high society social calendar was taken up by opera season.

Because of this, anything connected to the opera could become a status symbol. Opera glasses were no exception. A person attending the theater often had a pair made of expensive materials such as gold or enamel. The outsides of the glasses were often highly decorated. Cases to keep the glasses in were often highly decorated as well. Different variations came into being including lorgnette models that had an attached handle and folding models that were quite compact.

Opera glasses are still used today and can be quite helpful in modern theaters which can be very large. You can find them in many specialty stores such as ones which sell cameras and binoculars. There are also a number of websites which sell opera glasses. These can be good starting places to look. These sites allow you to compare a number of different models and prices.

One thing to look at when selecting your opera glasses is what the level of magnification is. Unlike a telescope or high powered binoculars, you will want to make sure that there is a fairly low level of magnification. A 3x magnification factor is considered ideal. This allows you to get a large field of view and it will keep shaking from hand movement as low as possible.

The actual style you choose is a matter of preference. Do you like the traditional look of the lorgnette? Are you interested in a style which folds down very small? You can also look at the accessories that are out there including straps and carrying pouches.

If visibility at concerts and plays is important to you, you should consider a pair of opera glasses. They are so much more than simply outdated viewing devices. They can find a way to make any stage performance you view clearer and much more rewarding.

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