Five rules to going to the opera: How not to embarrass yourself

Opera singers love a dressy audience, but forget the Akubra and your mobile phone, says Opera Australia's artistic director, Lyndon Terracini.

STEP ONE

Opening nights at the opera have a great sense of celebration, and are usually black-tie, though it's not obligatory, except at Milan's La Scala, where opening nights are high fashion. People dress more casually now, but the performers appreciate it when the audience dresses up. Smart casual is fine for other performances. In Italy, you'll often see men wearing jeans and a smart jacket with no tie. Covent Garden and Munich are a lot more upmarket, the Bavarians certainly like to be extremely elegant. I was in Oman recently and the men were in sharply ironed dishdashas (robes) with matching headwear. It was very beautiful. In Sydney, I've seen people in Stubbies and Akubras – I would discourage the hat because the people behind you can't see the stage.

STEP TWO

You can clap and yell "Bravo" (for a man), "Brava" (for a woman) or "Bravi" (for a group) after an aria. It's almost obligatory. Unless it's really sensational, you wouldn't whistle at that point. Never whistle in Italy, as it means the opposite; it's worse than booing. People still occasionally throw flowers at the end of the performance, usually for the female lead. In Munich, they're dropped from theatre boxes near the stage to land at the diva's feet. Soprano Jessica Pratt has had jewellery thrown at her on stage at the Sydney Opera House, which I think was a little over-enthusiastic.

STEP THREE

Using your mobile phone (even for a photo) is forbidden in the theatre. In China, I've seen users lasered by the ushers with an iridescent blue light, so everyone in the theatre glares at them. It's phenomenal! It's a quick education for theatregoers and it's quite entertaining. I suspect you wouldn't use your phone again.

STEP FOUR

For hard-to-get opera tickets, ask the concierge at the best hotels in town. It's going to cost you more, but if you ask before lunchtime, you usually can get a ticket. At the fantastic, eccentric Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, there's no fixed seating: they just add more seats, so you can always get a ticket.