Opera houses, that were built in the second half of the 20 th century, were designed so their seating plan allowed the audience to see the stage. Many people, who attend an opera performance today look at a seating plan and think: I want to see everything on stage. You See Everything on Stage – Choosing Seats From the Opera House Seating Map They will probably give you a limited or one-sided view of the stage. So, if you are interested in having everyone see you while you attend an opera performance, check out the seating plan and locate the opera house boxes. Audiences in boxes are less concerned with seeing the event they are attending. They come to maintain their social and business contacts. The people who buy tickets for these boxes are often there for the status that such a seat gives them. The boxes are placed so that TV and sport fan cameras can photograph those, who are seated or standing in the box.

Sports facilities are putting in boxes for people who attend because they want to be seen. But, today it’s not the opera that has become the main venue. The tradition of going to events in order to be seen is alive and well today. Well known opera houses that have opera boxes that let you be seen are:

And so, the most regal and centrally located box was reserved for the local royals. Traditionally, many of the European Opera Houses were financed by the royal family. The most impressive box at a house of opera was usually the “Royal Box” or the “Imperial Box”. One can only guess what went on behind these curtains! Some opera boxes even had curtains that could be drawn by the people sitting in the box. Quite often, the opera box was situated in such a way that people in the regular seats (or “stalls” as they are sometimes called) could see the occupants of the boxes. Usually, it was built with a separate entrance door. It was a separate room with 3 walls and an opening toward the stage. The most prestigious seat was an opera box. Going to the opera was a social affair where you gossiped about your neighbours, dressed to impressed and conducted illicit affairs. When the major European opera houses were first built, the seating chart was planned so that people could see who was at the evening event. Everyone Sees You – Choosing Seats From the Opera House Seating Plan

Seating chart metropolitan opera house