How does one acquire a taste and understanding of such a vast, complex art form which has so many different styles, languages, and conventions? 
Most people go to a performance, find themselves completely lost and/or bored and decide that opera is not for them.  Big mistake.  Like any acquired taste, be it oysters or opera, you need to start with SMALL BITES.

• Pick an opera, preferably a one-act one such as Pergolesi’s “Serva Padrona,”  Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana” or any full-length opera by Puccini.
• Get the “highlights” version of the opera and the entire libretto.
• Learn the arias, choruses, etc on the highlights version.  Listen to the CD on the way to work, while doing your taxes or as you fall asleep at night.
• THEN get the full opera on CD and learn it the same way....through constant exposure. 
• And finally, go to see it performed.
• REPEAT...REPEAT....REPEAT....