Meaning: This quote by Cleveland Amory, an American author, and animal rights activist, provides a humorous and insightful comparison between opera and a husband with a foreign title. The analogy captures the complexity, expense, and social challenge associated with both opera and maintaining a marriage to a foreign husband. By likening the two, Amory highlights the elitist nature of opera, its perceived difficulty in comprehension, and the societal expectations and pressures that come with it.

Firstly, the comparison of opera to a husband with a foreign title as "expensive to support" alludes to the high costs associated with producing and attending operatic performances. Opera productions often require significant financial resources for venue rental, elaborate costumes, sets, and talented performers. Additionally, opera tickets can be expensive, making it a form of entertainment accessible primarily to those with disposable income. Similarly, supporting a foreign husband may involve expenses related to travel, language courses, and cultural adaptation.

The second part of the comparison, "hard to understand," points to the perceived complexity and inaccessibility of opera for the general public. The elaborate librettos, foreign languages, and intricate musical compositions can make opera seem daunting and inaccessible to those unfamiliar with the art form. Similarly, communicating and understanding the nuances of a foreign husband's culture, language, and traditions can be challenging for a spouse from a different background.

The final aspect of the comparison, "therefore a supreme social challenge," highlights the social status and expectations associated with both opera and marriage to a foreign husband. Attending opera performances has historically been a marker of social refinement and sophistication, often associated with high society and cultural elitism. Likewise, being married to a foreign husband may present social challenges related to cultural differences, societal expectations, and the need to navigate multiple social contexts.

Amory's use of humor in this comparison serves to critique the exclusivity of opera and the challenges of maintaining a marriage across cultural boundaries. By framing opera as a "supreme social challenge," he draws attention to the societal pressures and expectations that surround it, emphasizing the parallels with the challenges of navigating a marriage with a foreign spouse.

In conclusion, Cleveland Amory's quote cleverly captures the multifaceted nature of opera and the challenges associated with maintaining a marriage to a foreign husband. The comparison serves as a humorous commentary on the expense, complexity, and social expectations surrounding both opera and cross-cultural marriages. This quote prompts reflection on the elitism and societal pressures inherent in opera and the complexities of intercultural relationships, offering a thought-provoking perspective on both subjects.