We did The Magic Flute in school (and I now own a video just because it so inspired my love for it)... it's a fantastic opera, story telling, but be prepared that it is a bit: men are the stronger sex in the upper echelons of wisdom

Seriously, if I had the money, I'd be on a plane to join you!

and yes, opera is formal (or it was 20 years ago when I saw the Magic Flute in Kiel, Germany)