Opera superstitions: all the insane rules of what you can't say or do & their origins

[@howimettheopera]

I'm curious, do you have any superstitions you just can't not follow? Hopefully not as embarrassing as having to throw salt over your shoulder at dinner tables

[@angelo8424]

I grew up in an Italian/ Sicilian family- Throwing salt over the shoulder was common, and never crossing silverware.

[@sfbirdclub]

In boca al lupo is also from Venitian empire times. One denounced their enemies by putting the written accusation into the "mouth" of the wolf's head on the Doge's Palace door. Wasn't there, but all my opera mates swore by that story. And the "Scottish play" of opera is a real thing. One that newbies in any opera house learns VERY quickly.

[@rayati2284]

The supposed curse of La forza del destino prevented Pavarotti from ever performing that opera!!!

[@howimettheopera]

the things we do when we are superstitious XD

[@jeaneltawil]

That was a brilliant video! a lovely idea of subject and, as always, so well delivered. I might add that the "break a leg" as I've been told before is related to the French "merde" in the sense of slipping on the horses' "leavings" and breaking a leg. I am however not sure how accurate this story is.

[@howimettheopera]

That would make sense, thanks for commenting!

[@angelo8424]

Not a superstition, but I learned- the hard way- to never, ever, EVER, eat Taco Bell before final dress rehearsal- or any performance.

[@YarBond]

In Ukrainian we say "Ні пуху, ні пера!", which literally translates as "Have neither fluff, no feather!" and the reply that you must say is: "(Йди) До біса!" - "(Go) to the Devil!" This was a typical wish to a hunter, that gradually became a very typical wish for any student before the text and a performer/lectuerer before a performance. And we also never say "Good Luck!" before the test/exam/performance - that means wishing a bad luck.

[@philzmusic8098]

It's bad luck to play cards backstage, and I learned personally why: I was a super in a production of Don Giovanni, and was playing cards backstage. I got so wrapped up in the game that I missed my entrance cue!

[@larrylangley9240]

2. Maybe having a bad rehearsal causes everyone to be extra focused in performance.

[@guillaumejeremia8779]

This is the 1st time I hear why we say "sh*t" in French. My understanding is much simpler. If you cannot say "bonne chance" (good luck) then you say the opposite "bonne m*rde" or simply "m*rde" which means bad luck.

[@TonyAngel]

No. 2. True. I used to do a fair amount of pit orchestra work when a lot younger, however this only applied to those on stage, the orchestra had to be good every time. :(

[@andrelousada]

I love Tosca too!!!

[@camilacastrogrinstein412]

En teatro no se puede usar el color amarillo, y haciendo vestuarios muchos directores y actrices me pidieron que no se usara :D

[@howimettheopera]

Siiii, de teatro hay miles mas. Lo del amarillo parece ser que es porque Moliere murió en escena de un ataque de tuberculosis vistiendo amarillo

[@fabiogatto2462]

the mouth of a she-wolf is the most safe place where a little wolf could stay. And this is probably the origin of "in bocca al lupo". Anyway, in italian is also used "in culo alla balena" (please look for the translation yourself...), but I really can't imagine why.

[@howimettheopera]

that makes a lot of sense! thanks for sharing :)

[@HenryDrives]

In Italian too we say "merda". Or "in c**o alla balena" (in the a** of a whale)

[@howimettheopera]

haha nice to know so I am not shocked if I am ever in Italy and hear that

[@elcioaparecidopiresdeassis8908]

Merda in Portuguese😅