Like catsPHiddle i also like other music forms aswell as folk and I've seen some operas like Carmen (three times!), Barber of Seville, Cosi Fan Tuttie, Salome and enjoyed them very much mainly, i think, because i like the music and new the story before hand, so even if it was sung in a foreign language, i new roughly what was goin on. Nowadays, many theatres have sur-titles to help. As to the 'why', well its like asking why some people prefer blue instead of red or Ibitha rather than the Lake District or real ale rather than keg. Its simply a matter of taste. I get enjoyment listening to Martin Carthy, Vin Garbutt, Fairport, BBC Philharmonic, Halle, Roy Harper, Pink Floyd, Incredible String Band, Mobi, David Gray &c.......then p'raps i'm just weird!