Who said “No opera plot can be sensible, for people do not sing when they are feeling sensible.”?

Verified

W. H. Auden. A published source records them saying or writing it.

Source"Notes on Music and Opera"

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“No opera plot can be sensible, for people do not sing when they are feeling sensible.”
— W. H. Auden
Verified"Notes on Music and Opera" · evidenceOpera

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For academic work, cite the original where you can: "Notes on Music and Opera".

APA

Auden, W. H. (n.d.). No opera plot can be sensible, for people do not sing when they are feeling sensible. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/27874-no-opera-plot-can-be-sensible-for-people/

MLA

Auden, W. H. “No opera plot can be sensible, for people do not sing when they are feeling sensible.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/27874-no-opera-plot-can-be-sensible-for-people/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Auden, W. H. “No opera plot can be sensible, for people do not sing when they are feeling sensible.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/27874-no-opera-plot-can-be-sensible-for-people/.

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