Would it be correct to play La Boheme at the dentist?

Some of it might be a little intense for the dentist. Most people do not like being there to begin with. It would have to be the parts that are gentle, nothing too bombastic.

I’d suggest music from the first act: Rodolfo’s Che gelida manina – “What a cold little hand” and Mimì‘s Sì, mi chiamano Mimì – “Yes, they call me Mimì” or the duet with both Rodolfo and Mimì, O soave fanciulla – “Oh gentle maiden”. Good luck!

That just happens to be one of my favorites (Opera Fiend)... however I’d go for Madame Butterfly or Turandot at the dentist… helps me relax.

I would love my Dentist to do that!

Mine has TV’s in all the rooms. I hate that.

It is one place I prefer to have my savage breast calmed.

Musick has Charms to sooth a savage Breast,
To soften Rocks, or bend a knotted Oak.
I’ve read, that things inanimate have mov’d,
And, as with living Souls, have been inform’d,
By Magick Numbers and persuasive Sound.
What then am I? Am I more senseless grown
Than Trees, or Flint? O force of constant Woe!
‘Tis not in Harmony to calm my Griefs.
Anselmo sleeps, and is at Peace; last Night
The silent Tomb receiv’d the good Old King;
He and his Sorrows now are safely lodg’d
Within its cold, but hospitable Bosom.
Why am not I at Peace?

- William Congreve, The mourning bride, 1697

I would love to hear classical music at the dentist instead of pop from the radio, but not opera. I get too involved in it and don’t want to break it off in the middle of something. When I hear La Boheme, I want to go straight through it from beginning to end. Also a lot of opera is very intense and emotional, the opposite of relaxing, as far as I am concerned. I love it, but it would not make me feel calm during a root canal, nor would I want to think of the root canal from then on every time I heard “Quando men vo.”

Give me some nice Satie, now, or Bach, or Chopin. That would be wonderful.

Beats the TV’s playing “Marathon Man”