DOESN'T OPERA HAVE A BOOK CLUB AND TALK SHOW?

I'm weeping into my morning frappuccino here. Via this article in the Telegraph, I learned that more than half the population of Blackpool in England think opera is a popular talk show host.

Perhaps this extends to Americans, as well, as per the label on our newspaper each week (or at least a lack of spelling skills). Maybe Clevelanders are thinking we're up in our offices "Living our Best Lives" and chatting with Dr. Oz and listening to Mackenzie Phillips talk about "consensual incest." But let's hope not.

In the poll of 3,000 Brits by operamadesimple, only 25% had even seen a live opera. (Someone please get me a paper bag to breathe into!) The good news is the existence of operamadesimple--it provides easy explanations, history and insights into opera. Perfect for novices or opera scaredy cats.

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