I found it interesting that back when Opera’s were at the peak of their popularity the audiences decided to pay attention only when their singers came on to perform.  Is it ironic that at the height of its popularity the audiences sought to appreciate only a particular part of the performance and now when Operas are seen as visiting old art forms the audiences are more captivated by the performances?  It just seems as the interest should be reversed, but then again maybe it is just that people appreciate things less when they do not know how things will be in the future.  Could this be applied to films nowadays and how people go to see their favorite actors?