The libretto, which means little book in Italian, consists of the words, or text, of an opera. The music, also known as the score, consists of both vocal and instrumental music. An opera must have singers, a conductor and an orchestra to translate the libretto and music into a performance. To enjoy an opera to its fullest, audience members should read the libretto or a summary of the action before attending a performance. This is especially important when the opera is sung in an unfamiliar language.
Most public libraries have books that contain detailed summaries of the action in individual operas.
A little bit of preparation is necessary to enhance enjoyment of attending an opera, she said. First time opera goers can achieve this by doing a little bit of homework into, for example, what the plot is about. Ratliff also recommends listening to live broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera, which are broadcast beginning at 1 p.m. each Saturday on West Virginia Public Radio. The performances even feature broadcast notes to help listeners understand the action. We welcome your questions, comments or suggestions .