Opera glasses are also called theater binoculars. They are compact and low powered devices used for optical magnification at performances. Originally they were used at operas. The magnification of opera glasses is usually about a 3x power and is always under 5x. This is necessary due to light constraints.

While opera glasses may appear the same as binoculars, they are somewhat different. They are designed for indoor use and are useful at opera and other performances where participants may be seated at a distance from the stage of the theater. These glasses allow you to see the stage as if you were seated at a much closer distance.

However, opera glasses are not true binoculars from an optical point of view. Binoculars are actually a pair of telescopes. The overall length of the telescopes is made possible by an optical process called folding which uses mirrors to shorten the length. Opera glasses, use a convex lens as the objective lens and a concave lens for the eyepiece. Although the image is not as high a quality as with binoculars, it is produced upright using only two lenses instead of the multiple lenses necessary with the binoculars.

Opera glasses are designed to be small and unobtrusive. They should be small enough that they do not distract other theater goers. Some of the models fold so that they may be easily slipped into the pocket or the purse.

It can take some adjustment to get used to using opera glasses. Fortunately, in many of the larger operas where they are needed most, they can be rented. You might want to try renting a pair to use before actually investing in your own set.

During the nineteenth century, opera goers used spectacles that had a long handle called a lorgnette. These glasses were more ornamental than useful. The lorgnette was preferred to spectacles by some of the more fashionable ladies. Some of the fancier opera glasses that are used today are shaped after the lorgnette of that time.

Whether to use opera glasses or not is a personal choice. While some people find them useful in following the story line, other patrons find them to be very annoying and unnecessary. If you find that the glasses are annoying, but have difficulty in following the story line from the distant seats, you may enjoy the show more from a more expensive seat. You will often have the needed view without having to use the opera glasses.

Jeff B. 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!