Opening paragraphs.................

The third gong, announcing that the Opera was about to continue, sounded discreetly through the lobbies and bars of Teatro La Fenice.  In response, the audience stabbed out cigarettes, finished drinks and conversations, and started to filter back into the theater.  The hall, brightly lit between acts, hummed with the talk of those returning to their seats.  Here a jewel flashed, there a mink cape was adjusted over a naked shoulder or an infinitesimal speck of dust was flicked from a satin lapel.  The upper galleries filled up first, followed by the orchestra seats and then the three rows of boxes.

-Donna Leon,  Death At La Fenice