Encore encore

So, the husband and I went on a double date with my wonderful cousins this past weekend. We went to see the opera, Don Giovanni. As this was my first time at the opera, I wasn't sure what to expect. I kept thinking back to the opera scene of Pretty Woman, where Richard Gere tells Julia Roberts that you either love the opera or hate the opera (more or less). I, of course, was hoping to love the opera, to become all cultured and shit.

I wasn't disappointed.

First off, I wasn't expecting it to be funny. I thought I was going to cry like Julia Roberts did. (I realize how sad it is that I'm basing my opera expectations on a movie about a prostitute. Kind of cancels out me being all cultured.) Anyway, here's what I learned:

• Opera music is beautiful.
• Our dates were fun and entertaining (not that I didn't know that beforehand, of course, so I guess I didn't learn that).
• I like getting dressed up to go out.
• I want to speak Italian.

On the other hand...

• Opera thinks we're stupid. The singers repeat the same lines 3-4 times as if we didn't get it the first time. We got it. (PS. to all you opera snobs out there, I know that's not the reason they say the line 3-4 times.  I'm trying to be funny.)
• The subtitles don't repeat 3-4 times, so you think you're missing something when you're really not (hmm, maybe we are stupid).
• If they just sang the line once, the opera wouldn't take so long and my ass wouldn't have fallen asleep.

Wait, I said I liked the opera, right? I did. Really, I did.

But, for future, the opera would be better if:

1. They get more comfortable seating - like the new stadium seating in movie theaters.
2. The intermission was a tad bit longer. We barely had time to wait in line to use the restroom. And definitely no time for a drink (hence the reason for #3...)
3. They have concession people up and down the aisles throughout the entire show, like they do at sporting events (but no need to shout, "Popcorn! I gotchyer popcorn right here!").

Forget it. I am beyond help in the culture department.