Opera Glasses- A Look Through History

Devices to improve eyesight in general have been around for hundreds of years. It was not until the 1800′s that opera glasses achieved their position as a status symbol among theater-goers of the day.

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.

Opera glasses rapidly became status symbols and ways for people to show off their wealth. If you had the money to attend the opera you wanted others to know it. And a great deal of business was conducted at intermission as well. A huge portion of the high society social calendar was taken up by opera season.

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.

Opera glasses are still used today and can be quite helpful in modern theaters which can be very large. You can find them in many specialty stores such as ones which sell cameras and binoculars. There are also a number of websites which sell opera glasses. These can be good starting places to look. These sites allow you to compare a number of different models and prices.

When you are purchasing your opera glasses you should check the level of magnification that they offer. It is usually recommended that you look for a 3x magnification. This will allow you a good field of vision and will minimize the amount of shaking may see from hand movement. Anything over 5x magnification is considered to be too high.

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.

Opera glasses can be a useful and beautiful accessory. It is an item with a long history that can make your trip to the theater much more enjoyable.

Jeff Bridges has always loved the theater and opera, he currently helps run an opera glasses retail site where they sell opera glasses. Including Opera Glasses with handle, flashlight, chain and more!

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