[imagesource: Getty]

First, some background on the opera, The Merry Widow, or Die lustige Witwe, written by Austro-Hungarian composer Franz Lehár, to set the scene.

It’s about a rich widow, and her countrymen’s attempt to keep her money in the principality by finding her the right husband.

The early 20th century was all about marrying women off, especially if they were rich, to prevent them from harnessing any wanton ideas about independence.

It premiered in 1905 and has been performed often since then, most recently at the Sydney Opera House.

In attendance at one of those performances last month was Nicole Kidman, husband Keith Urban, and Nicole’s mother, Janelle.

They enjoyed it, according to The Sydney Morning Herald, so much so that they gave it a standing ovation.

Thrilling.

Anyway, there was a guy sitting behind them who took umbrage with this because back in the day it wasn’t polite to stand and clap after a performance.

Also back in the day, you could talk through it and order snacks depending on the time period, shout at the orchestra, if you’re bored pay a visit to friends in another box, or head to the gambling tables, and boo, but only if you’re in Europe.

So the rules are a bit out there and tend to change depending on how society works.

The gentleman behind Nicole and Keith decided to cling to that one rule and share words with the couple.

When they carried on clapping and standing, he swatted Nicole with his program, which prompted Keith to yell at him for assaulting his wife.

Keith then summoned his security to escort Nicole and her mom out of the theatre, while Opera House security retrieved the guy with the program.

Then the police were called.

“Police have been told a 53-year-old man and a 67-year-old man were both attending the entertainment centre when an argument broke out. Officers spoke to both men and no further action was taken,” NSW Police said in a statement.

I’m sure Nicole will survive, overcome, and find a way to go on.

So brave.

[source:sydneymorningherald]