Shocked by a ludicrous death? Amazed by an unexpected performance? Caught off-guard by a live broadcast while channel-flicking? Love it or hate it, there's something unforgettable about experiencing an opera for the first time.
We encouraged our Twitter followers to indulge in a moment of nostalgia and tell us how they got hooked on opera — or how they learnt to love it — be it live on the Covent Garden stage, or further afield. We were not disappointed.
@TheRoyalOpera my first experience was WOZZECK at 19. life-changing. decided in that moment that I'd become an opera scholar (& I did!)
— Imani Mosley (@imanimosley) July 27, 2016
@TheRoyalOpera @LOVEtheatrecom Tosca, Naples,1970s - loved music but Tosca's death ludicrous as she bounced up again after fall to 'death'.
— Jenny Worstall (@JennyWorstall) July 27, 2016
@TheRoyalOpera I saw Kungliga Operans production of Hanzel and Gretzel. Superb and amazing first experience for a child. — Nea (@LinneaBLO) July 27, 2016
@TheRoyalOpera 27 years ago I saw Pavarotti in a docklands arena & Carmen at Earls Court. Both big & spectacular. Now a veteran opera fan — Peter (@oysterman55) July 27, 2016
@TheRoyalOpera First live performance was Madame Butterfly, at the ROH in April 2015. It was utterly compelling and absorbing. — Nick Treby (@NickTreby) July 27, 2016
@TheRoyalOpera @RoyalOperaHouse At age 14 I accidentally tuned in to the Metropolitan Opera performance of LaBoheme. I became a fan. — John Dean (@JohnDea92919719) July 27, 2016
@TheRoyalOpera @RoyalOperaHouse @PopupOperaUK barber of Seville by pop-up opera in the rotherhithe tunnel a couple of months ago. Converted! — Dylan Fryer (@MrDylanFryer) July 27, 2016
@TheRoyalOpera Mine was a @WNOtweet bartered bride with a new young singer called Lesley Garrett. Often wonder what she went on to do...
— Pinko Redux (@mancpinkoreturn) July 27, 2016
— Pinko Redux (@mancpinkoreturn) 
@TheRoyalOpera I started late. 18. I saw Carmen streamed to a local cinema. Truly converted now. One of the most pure art forms. — Louis Simon (@louissimon96) July 27, 2016
@TheRoyalOpera Eugene Onegin in Prague on a school trip when I was 14. Left at the interval to drink beer and play pinball. — London Snail Eater (@Ldn_snail_eater) July 27, 2016
@TheRoyalOpera @RoyalOperaHouse Covent Garden, Parsifal. I was in a dream for days afterwards. — Emma Lewis (@Petchary) July 27, 2016
@TheRoyalOpera La Bohème in 1958 or '59 with my mother. She had prepared me well and I loved it. Still coming all these years later.
— Roger (@BestBroadsYacht) July 27, 2016
What was your first experience of opera?
Let us know via the comments below.
ROH Live Cinema relays are a great way to experience opera for the first time. Find your nearest cinema and sign up to our mailing list.
