Mainstage opera intermissions are twenty minutes long unless the program indicates otherwise. Stretch your legs, relax and enjoy a drink with your friends, or take a restroom break. Chimes will let you know that the intermission is ending and it’s time to silence your devices and return to your seat. Once the doors are closed, late seating will be at the discretion of the house manager.

If you have an emergency, please try to exit as discreetly and quietly as possible, for the sake of other patrons. Latecomers and those who exit during the performance will be seated at the discretion of the House Manager.

As a general rule, you should hold your applause until the performer has finished singing. If in doubt, you may wait until other audience members begin to clap. If you are extra enthusiastic about what you’ve just heard, feel free to shout “Bravo!” if the singer is a man and “Brava!” for a woman.

There are no food or beverages permitted inside the performance hall. Please silence your mobile devices and refrain from talking or texting on your cell phone during the performance. Recording of any performance by camera, audio, or video equipment, including cell phones, is strictly prohibited.

Each Mainstage opera has a “Listen and Learn” tab on The Dallas Opera’s website. You can listen to music samples and we’ll post additional materials if available.

You can also learn more on our TDO Connection’s webpage. TDO Connections™ is The Dallas Opera’s intentional process for human-centered, operatic storytelling. Each opera season, TDO will explore thematic elements relevant to our communities through select opera productions.

You may visit our Opera 101 page.

In general, you can expect an opera to last between two-and-a-half and three hours, including intermissions. Works by certain composers, like Richard Wagner, can run longer. For details on running time, consult your performance webpage.