Three at the Opera by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The story revolves around three women who attend an opera performance, each with their own distinct backstory and emotional turmoil. The first woman is a wealthy socialite struggling to come to terms with her husband's infidelity. The second is a young singer who has abandoned her artistic ambitions for a life of comfort and security. The third is a poor but passionate music lover who has sacrificed everything to attend the opera. As they watch the performance, each woman reflects on their own lives, desires, and disappointments, leading to a transformative experience that changes them forever.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1913 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Supernatural · 345 words
First lines
Last night the house was crowded. Were you there? / You thought our box held only two, maybe -- / Myself and chaperon, a matron fair. / There was another whom you did not see.
Close, close beside me, sat a phantom form; / Above the music and loud cheer on cheer / That rose, and thundered like a sudden storm, / I heard his low voice whispering in my ear.
What this Textopian page supports
Three at the Opera is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1913 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Date: 1913 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romance, Supernatural, Drama, Psychological
- Length: 345 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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- Work identity for Three at the Opera by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse form, with a focus on rhythm, meter, and poetic devices.
- Romance — The themes revolve around love and emotional connections, particularly with a phantom lover.
- Supernatural — The presence of a dead man's ghost as a central figure introduces elements of the supernatural.
- Drama — The narrative involves intense emotional experiences and dramatic situations, such as the interaction with a ghost at an opera.
Tags
Romance · Opera · Music · Drama · Theatre · Performance · Artistic · Creative · Emotional · Intense · Passionate · Tragic