Friday, 25 December 2009

Opera Glasses- A Closer Look

By Jeff Bridges

Have you been at a concert or in a theater and wished you could see the stage better? You should consider getting a pair of opera glasses. They are more than just beautiful and classic pieces of history. Modern opera glasses can help you see what is going on around you at any performance. This need has not changed since the 1800's when they became popular with people attending the Paris opera.

Opera was also an important social event. People attending the opera wanted to be able to see and be seen and often spent time scanning the audience as well. To do this, they needed a simple and convenient magnifying device. Opera glasses were the perfect solution.

Like many other accessories, opera glasses quickly became status symbols. They were used by members of high society to view what was happening in the audience as well as what was on stage. Often it was normal to spend much of the evening scanning the crowds as being seen was just as important as seeing a performance itself.

People found ways to make the glasses much more ornate. They became an accessory that told a lot about the owner's social status. They often featured elaborate cases made of precious metals or that were highly enameled. Inlays of mother-of-pearl and other precious materials also became quite common. There were also several variations that became popular. They included the lorgnette, with a handle that allowed you to hold the glasses up to your face. There was also a folding version that was popular as it could be collapsed and stored in a purse or other case.

Opera glasses are still used today and can be quite helpful in modern theaters which can be very large. You can find them in many specialty stores such as ones which sell cameras and binoculars. There are also a number of websites which sell opera glasses. These can be good starting places to look. These sites allow you to compare a number of different models and prices.

Before you decide which style you want you should make sure that the magnification factor is correct. You want to make sure that they are fairly low powered. High levels of magnification are best for binoculars and telescopic camera lenses. Most experts agree that you should look for a 3x magnification factor. You should stay away from a magnification factor of 5x or higher.

The actual style you choose is a matter of preference. Do you like the traditional look of the lorgnette? Are you interested in a style which folds down very small? You can also look at the accessories that are out there including straps and carrying pouches.

If you are someone who wants to view theatre performances but are not able to pay high prices for your tickets, then opera glasses might be a good solution for you. It will allow you to feel in touch with the past and still enjoy the fine details of modern performances from anywhere in the theater.

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