With esoteric music, foreign languages and complicated audience etiquette, opera can be intimidating to even adventurous event-goers.  Luckily, the L.A. Opera is the perfect place for those with opera anxiety to enjoy the 400-year-old art form for the first time.

Founded in 1986, the L.A. Opera is the four largest opera company in the country.  Its debut performance was Guiseppe Verdi’s “Otello.”  Today, the company is based in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at the L.A. Music Center and gives between 70 and 100 performances each year, which include classic operas, like Elixer of Love and The Barber of Seville, as well as new productions.

In the past two decades, the L.A. Opera has dedicated itself to making unlikely opera-goers out of L.A.’s diverse residents.  Last year, more than 159,000 people enjoyed the company’s community and educational programs, which are designed to bring opera to people from all backgrounds.  These include opera summer camps for children, free performances for families in the community, and open dress rehearsals for senior centers.

The company’s website also has resources for first-timers, including a glossary of opera terminology, an etiquette guide and a list of recommended music.

For the L.A. Opera, it looks like this fat lady continues - and will continue - to sing!