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Saturday, September 5, 2009

Opera Glasses- A Look Through History

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 becoming an increasingly popular social event. But not everyone was able to afford the high prices for seats with a close view of the stage. To get a good view of what was happening on stage it became necessary to find a compact way of magnifying it. Scientists found a way to combine telescopic lenses with stereoscopic prisms and invented a method by which a clear three dimensional view of the stage was available.

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.

Modern opera glasses are much the same as they were in the beginning. They still come in several different models. Opera glasses are still popular as well. They are not hard to find but it may take a bit of looking on your part. You should start your search in stores which sell binoculars. A camera store may have some or they may be able to order them for you.

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.

They are also still available in a range of materials from the very basic to the very expensive. If you are looking for a basic model, there are now reasonably priced folding versions that include a plastic case. It really depends on your personal preference as to which style you purchase.

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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