Our goal is not only to present you with exciting programs of a high artistic quality, but a gratifying and enjoyable night at the theatre. We want you to be able to experience the opera with a minimum of distractions, while also making reasonable allowance for the unforeseen. To that end, we work very closely with the artistic team to find a minimum of moments when we can discreetly admit patrons who arrive a little bit late to the theatre. These intervals are at the discretion of the artistic team, who know the work and know best when this can be done without drawing much attention to itself. There is usually one break after the overture (when there is an overture,) and sometimes another shortly into the first act. After that, intermission is the next opportunity for late patrons to take their seats. This is out of respect to the vast majority of our audience members who have arrived on time and who deserve to enjoy the performance without distractions. The house ushers are trained to admit patrons without attracting unnecessary attention, but only during designated breaks in the performance.   

Of course, for those who unfortunately arrive after the house is closed, we have monitors and a sound system in the lobby, so one can follow the opera from there. They are very nice monitors, but my sincere hope is that you never find yourself looking at one. This being Boston, please give yourself an extra ten minutes travel time for weather, traffic, T breakdowns, looking for parking, etc. Then relax in your seat and let us do our part!

Will Chapman, Director of Operations
March 24, 2005