v operu vs. na operu

[Marina Rojavin]

I agree with this (Inna's) explanation. Just a few words in addition. I can't 
say that I agree with N.Shvedova who said that 'v operu' is archaic. 'V 
operu, v balet' imply 'v teatr"; 'na operu, na balet' imply 'to listen/see a 
specific perfomance'. 'Ia xozhu na operu, na balet' means 'I attend the same 
perfomance'(I'm using this as a word combination, not as a sentence), or in 
case with 'na balet' -- 'zanimatsia baletom'. And: U menia 
bilety na balet (Firebird)/v balet (Pennsylvania Ballet).

So, in Laura's case I would say 'Ia ezdila v operu' and 'Ia chasto xozhu v 
operu.'

All the best,
Marina Rojavin.

Inna Caron <caron.4 at OSU.EDU> said:

> 'opera' often denotes the building itself, so "v operu" would 
be used in the same sense as "v teatr," and "na operu" would correspond 
to "na spektakl'."
> 

> Examples: 
> Doma, v Peterburge, ia periodicheski ezdila v operu, osobenno v Mariinku.
> 
> Kogda my byli v Parizhe, nam tol'ko raz udalos' shodit' na operu. 
> 
> V Vene ia hodila na "Loengrina."
> 
 
> first example, the man who uses the word "baba" is not very likely to 
say "v operu" in the same 
> sentence :-)) He'll use "na operu," because it is more consistent with his 
generally colloquial speech.
> 
> Inna Caron
> Ohio State
> 
> -------- Original Message --------
> >From: Laura Goering <lgoering at CARLETON.EDU>
> >To: SEELANGS at LISTSERV.CUNY.EDU
> >Date: Thu, 09 Mar 2006 11:25:44 -0600
> >Subject: [SEELANGS] v operu vs. na operu
> >
> >Dear colleagues:
> >
> >My local native sources don't agree, so I would appreciate some more 
> >opinions.  At issue is whether the choice of verb (ezdita' vs. khodit') 
> >makes a difference and also whether a one-time trip is different from 
> >multiple trips.
> >
> >Which of the following are correct, which are impossible and which are 
> >both possible:
> >
> >Zachem moei babe vechernee plat'e? Chtoby khodit' na operu./ Chtoby 
> >khodit' v operu.
> >
> >Ia byla na diskoteke, ezdila na operu, byla v muzee. / Ia byla na 
> >diskoteke, ezdila v operu, byla v muzee. [In this one the context rules 
> >out "khodila na operu."]
> >
> >Ia govoriu po-iaponski, chasto khozhu na operu, spliu malo/ Ia govoriu 
> >po-iaponski, chasto khozhu v operu, spliu malo. [Context is someone 
> >talking about himself.]
> >
> >Please reply off-list to lgoering at carleton.edu.
> >
> >Spasibo!
> >
> >-- 
> >**************************
> >Laura Goering
> >Professor of Russian
> >Chair, Dept. of German and Russian
> >Carleton College
> >Northfield, MN 55057
> >lgoering at carleton.edu
> >
> >Office: (507) 646-4125
> >Dept. office: (507) 646-4252
> >Fax: (507) 646-5942
> >Home: (507) 663-6142
> >
> >-------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > Use your web browser to search the archives, control your subscription
> >  options, and more.  Visit and bookmark the SEELANGS Web Interface at:
> >                    http://seelangs.home.comcast.net/
> >-------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> >
> 
> ____________________________________________________________________
> Find the LOWEST PRICES on books at http://www.campusi.com !
> Check your SchoolEmail at http://www.campusi.com/email
> 
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
>  Use your web browser to search the archives, control your subscription
>   options, and more.  Visit and bookmark the SEELANGS Web Interface at:
>                     http://seelangs.home.comcast.net/
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> 



-- 
Dr. Marina Rojavin 
Visiting Assistant Professor
Russian Section
Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
Swarthmore College
500 College Avenue
Swarthmore PA 19081
Kohlberg 340
tel. (610) 328-8162
http://www.rojavin.com

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Use your web browser to search the archives, control your subscription
  options, and more.  Visit and bookmark the SEELANGS Web Interface at:
                    http://seelangs.home.comcast.net/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------