The Opera (Seinfeld)

"The Opera," also known as "The Andrea Doria," is the 45th episode of the American sitcom Seinfeld. It originally aired on NBC on October 28, 1992, as the ninth episode of the fourth season.

The episode's plot revolves around the characters' differing experiences and reactions to attending a performance of the opera Pagliacci. Jerry becomes obsessed with a woman he sees at the opera, Elaine is bothered by a loud eater nearby, George has a traumatic flashback to a childhood incident involving the Andrea Doria shipwreck (hence the episode's secondary title), and Kramer is, as usual, his eccentric self, reacting emotionally to the performance.

The episode explores themes of obsession, social etiquette (or lack thereof), and the often humorous disconnect between individuals' perceptions of the same event. The characters' reactions to the opera serve as a catalyst for their own individual storylines, which intersect and diverge in typical Seinfeld fashion.

The title "The Andrea Doria" refers to George's vivid memory triggered by a horn sound during the opera, linking the highbrow culture of opera with a mundane, yet significant, event from his past. This association is a common technique used in Seinfeld to create humor through juxtaposition and unexpected connections. The episode is considered a classic by many fans of the show and is often cited as an example of Seinfeld's unique brand of observational comedy.