A Twitter opera? I'd have to hear it

When it comes to classical music and opera, I'm temperamentally a traditionalist, still prefering concerts where people don't clap between movements and listen attentively and (maybe because like most men I look better in one) prefer tuxedos. But I know art forms have to reinvent themselves, so I'm fascinated by efforts to make the old music seem more relevant or to refasion old forms in the face of changing tastes.

Thus I don't know exactly what to make of the fact that the Royal Opera in London presenting the first "Twitter opera." The libretto was composed through Twitter feeds (140 characters) from 900 people. And "Twitterdamerung: The Twitter Opera," surprised some critics who found themselves rather liking it.

I'd have to hear it. But efforts to get more people involved with and interested in opera are always welcome. Most such efforts fail, of course, but you have to keep trying.