Opera fans would often purchase a pair of opera glasses, which are a magnifying glasses with a set of fixed lenses, for a closer look at the faces of the singers. Opera singers were often international stars and major celebrities of their day, in the same way as Hollywood actors today. These glasses were the owner's mothers personal pair.
Opera glasses
Contributed by Antiques Roadshow - Tatton
Most of the content on A History of the World is created by the contributors, who are the museums and members of the public. The views expressed are theirs and unless specifically stated are not those of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ or the British Museum. The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is not responsible for the content of any external sites referenced. In the event that you consider anything on this page to be in breach of the site’s House Rules please Flag This Object.
About this object
Click a button to explore other objects in the timeline
- Location
- Culture
- Period
- Theme
- Size
- Colour
- Material
View more objects from people in Manchester.
Podcast
Highlights from the collection
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ iD
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ navigation
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ links
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Â© 2014 The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.
Comments
These glasses are lovely for any opera fans to see. Anybody interested in these may also like to see the portait of Maestro Andrea Bocelli on the site. It was signed by him in England in 2009.
The lenses are often focusable, not fixed. I would describe opera glasses as small, low powered binoculars. Opera singers still are international stars, more international than ever, though not usually such major celebrities nowadays. Pavarotti was pretty famous though and Domingo still is.