Opera Glasses, A Excellent Way To See All The Action On Stage From Far Away

By Jeff Bridges

You may not want to bring binoculars to catch all the action of a performance on stage so Opera Glasses would be the next best thing. Opera houses built many years ago have balconies that are very far from the stage with cheaper seats. Often times they were such a distance that you could only see figures moving across the stage and forget about seeing faces that is part of the acting processes. Opera glasses would enable those people in the gallery to see much better almost to the point of seeing the facial expressions of the performers. Opera Glasses are not a new item on the market because they have been available since the 50's.

Opera glasses are not the same as binoculars because they are much smaller and are usually nicely stylish. There are some brands that look like a flat case that fit into a woman's evening bag or in a jacket pocket that pop up like an accordion. There are also those that fold in on themselves and can be carried unnoticed. Some are held up with a single rod called a lorgnette enabling a person to hold with only one hand instead of using both hands. The rod also folds up to hide it well when not in use.

Opera glasses can be found for purchase today. There are inexpensive ones that cost about $50 to $100 but there are others that can be more expensive. These kind are equipped with better optics and larger magnifications and may be unique in the way they look. You can also get vintage opera glasses that may cost much more merely because they are antique. Always try them out to make sure they are still in working order.

Often times theaters and opera houses will rent opera glasses for a nominal price. If you go often you may want to consider purchasing your own, but if your visits are infrequent plan on renting. Before purchasing it is a good idea to try out different styles to see what suits you best. There are those people who don't mind holding them with both hands and some that would prefer using the one hand hold with the rod at the side. You may even find you don't want to use them as they interfere with the performance or you find it hard to hold them in place.

Binoculars differ from opera glasses in magnification. The system used in opera glasses is a simple system whereas that used in binoculars is quite extensive. The system used in opera glasses is based on the simple system invented by Galileo called the Galilean optical system. The images will not be as sharp with opera glasses but you can still see most of what you need to on the stage

Most opera glasses today are made in China. Most of them have a magnification to 3 X which is adequate for a large auditorium or concert hall. Exceptions to the rule go to 5 X but they are quite expensive. Some will have a center focus and some don't have one at all. Usually the non focus glasses have a small red LED light that appears between the eye barrels. This will enable you to read the program in dim light without disturbing your neighbor. If you have good vision these will be the ones for you however, if you have a problem with vision and wish to use the opera glasses without your corrective lenses it is better to go with the ones that can be focused. Since there is a central focusing mechanism there is no room for the light so focused opera glasses will not have one.

Opera Glasses usually are accompanied by a case and especially look for this in the vintage ones. Some are soft sided and others hare hard and can be lined with velvet. Some antique glasses are made of ivory or enamel with cloisonne and they may be bejewelled or framed in gold or silver. Old ones were very beautiful and elegant. Either vintage or modern glasses make a great gift for those who love the ballet, opera or theater. - 18418

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Before you attend any performance make sure that you have a good pair of opera glasses. Here you can check out Opera Glasses with handle, flashlight, chain and more!