Couldn’t agree more! You are correct that those who speak the native language of the opera still can’t always understand what the singers are saying. Sometimes, the music gives me the plot instead of the libretto.

The format of sitting still at concerts is outdated. People should be able to move in and out of the room. I also really hate that people can’t burst out and cheer during a performance. That was expected in Beethoven’s time for example. These pieces became top-40 back then.

Yes, if it wasn’t a good bop, people walked out, and with them the reputation of the composer. Now the stakes aren’t as high.

I wish classical music would learn to let more people who look like me in. If they did, audience would be bigger.