If you are ever in NYC, visit the Amato Opera Company on the Bowery. It is a TINY theatre which sits about 200 max with a miniscule stage. But the director, Tony Amato, and his performers love what they do and many of their productions rival the best opera houses in sheer beauty. And if you look around carefully you are likely to see the lead singers from major companies. This is where many of them got their start.

Incredible sets, full length operas, and tea with the performers at intermission. Mrs. Amato will ask you to buy a raffle ticket. With a $10-15 admission ticket, how can you say "No!"?

Try an opera that appeals to you. The Barber of Seville is fun and the music will be familiar, I promise. Or "Fleidermaus" - all silliness and waltzes. Again, I would be surprised if you did not know at least half the music already.

A suggestion: Beforehand, listen to a recording of "Great Moments" in whatever opera you plan to see/hear. And sit in the balcony. You get a view of everything that is going on. I once had center seats in
Row 1 at the Met and spent the entire performance watching the percussionist share his copy of Penthouse with the rest of the orchestra. First fiddle picked his nose and several others dozed. Ed, they may have agreed with you.

As for the shrieking. I cannot abide Pavarotti or any other tenor but melt when Sam Ramey or Thomas Hampson performs. Sigh...