How to enjoy opera, with Alexandra Coghlan

This month, we explore the drama, cathartic beauty and—sometimes—silliness that comes with the art form that is opera. Classical music journalist Alexandra Coghlan offers beginner tips on which works to start with, how to watch them, what to look out for at the performance and even what to wear (spoiler alert: even flip flops are acceptable!). 

From the giddy joys of Mozart to the soul-crushing emotional overdrive of Tchaikovsky, via the intricate complexities of Britten, there's something for everyone in opera, as Alexandra explains. All you need is an open mind and the willingness to be swept away into a stirring world of drama, passion and adventure.