For many years my only exposure to opera came from the Sunday afternoon broadcast on a classical music radio station. I didn't care for it.

But in the last few years I have been going to actual operas, and seeing the singers moving, acting, dancing and wearing costumes has changed my view. Live opera is not just about singing - it is a spectacle.

Also, attending the opera has made me appreciate the skill and physical fitness which enable a singer to sing an entire show of difficult music and produce a last note which is as good as the first note.