San Francisco War Memorial Opera House. Or, my "home-away-from-home". Some of you already know my operatic tale..... I was one of the "few" who took to this form of art at an early age....8 - to be exact. My Mum (who adored opera -though mostly the Italian genre), took me to see "Rigoletto" when was 8. (See my last post for an appropriate musical intro to this wonderful opera.) Unfortunately, as an over-imaginative, only child, when Gilda (the heroine), sacrifices her life to save the Duke of Mantua - one of the all time cads (but a charming one) and her Father (who plotted to have the Duke killed - is discovered, her lifeless body inside a crude brown sack..... I thought, she had really been killed...and began screaming and crying. My poor Mum, picked me up and beat a "hasty retreat". She waited two more years until she took me to see "Lohengrin".... now, at 10, I was a lover of swans and all things Arthurian....although the opera was 4 1/2 hours long....I was spellbound. And.. the rest, as they say, is history. My mum, couldn't quite figure out why I LOVED German Opera so passionately and Italian Opera - not as much....and I guess we will never know. So, after many years of being a season ticket holder (Row P, Seat 117), and meeting the love of my life (who did the Supertitles for SF Opera)...and becoming dis-enchanted with the General Director, relinquishing my subscription....BUT....missing opera in my home town, I began volunteering in the coolest job possible... preparing coffee/tea and "goodies" backstage for Orchestra, Chorus and Principal Singers. I see all the rehearsals (sometimes the best part) and performances.... and have made some wonderful friends. 
The Backstage Door...... the gateway to a wonderful, magical world.
The exsquisite main hall, empty now...but soon to be full of people, champange, life!
This Summer Season, we are showing three Operas: "Faust", by Charles Gounoud - a traditional French Opera.....
Opera #2.....and, my SECOND Favourite Opera ever.... "Die Walkure"...not enough space or words to explain.... Willow, you WILL get it.... (here are the Walkures" in their WWI parachuting gear....JPG)
Opera #3, Puccini's "La Fanciulla del West"...or, "The Girl of the Golden West"... truly, an Italian-Spaghetti Western, starring Deborah Voight .....
- and featuring a a real horse - the beautiful "Whizkid" - shown here with MOI....who feeds him carrots before the performances...
A little backstage humour...A backstage look as the scene begins to take shape for "Die Walkure".
Costumes for "Faust"..
I have blogged more than most of you will want concerning this subject.....but, this is MY PASSION..... and I want to share "my world" with you. Yes, I do have photos with "stars" - but I respect their privacy, so must ask for their "blessing" before I post photos.... hopefully, more coming soon!
Love you all so much,
♥ Robin ♥
I love hearing about what you are up too and learning about Opera! I love that photo of you and the horse! Kisses for him from me.
ReplyDeleteLove.
xoxo
Who would not love to hear about this? I love Opera as you know and like you, it was gifted to me at a very early age. I took my children to the Opera here when they were barely old enough not to get bored or impatient.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing like the "drama" of getting the show together. When I was a magazine editor - it was an arts magazine - we got access to many a great backstage moments.
I loved to talk to the supers at the Opera because they were always playing jokes on each other to see who could keep a straight face just before entering the stage.
Speaking for myself only, you can make your posts as long as you want to. I will read them. I promise. Love from here as always.
The whole opera industry is so gloriously dramatic. You know I LOVED this delightful post. Fun seeing the beautiful you with the horsey!
ReplyDeleteThe pix came out great!! Yay. Our second home... almost ready for the teeming hordes to invade! See you there soon, and watch out for that Annie Oakley, she's a crack shot ;-)
ReplyDeleteWhiz Kid looks mighty pleased...
Fascinating post. I love reading about you as a child, the screaming, crying exit!! the passion you have for opera. I can feel the excitement of everything coming together for these three operas. And you and Whiz Kid, just the best. Thanks! for this great post. be well, suki
ReplyDeletePS I too have a screaming and crying in public story from my childhood. I loved ice cream and often my folks would walk me down to the ice cream shop to buy one for me. One day as we approached the shop I asked for ice cream and Mom said no. They would not relent so I began having a fit, screaming and crying and rolling on the sidewalk kicking my feet. Mom says she was so embarrassed. She didnt have a theatrical bone in her body, poor dear. Mom says an elderly lady walked by and said "Why don't you get her an ice cream?" but Mom was not to be swayed.
ReplyDeleteAnne, glad you enjoyed "touring" the Opera House! I DID give "The Kid" - as his owner calls him - a big kiss!
ReplyDeleteLove,
♥ Robin ♥
Allegra, yes, one of the many, many things we share is a love of opera! It isn't for everyone, but for those of us who get a deep, passionate experience from it - it's thrilling.
ReplyDeleteI much prefer to be at a live performance - even with flaws - than listen to a perfect DVD or CD recording.
Your "Super" story is great.... in this production of "Walkure", it IS the Supers who parachute onto the stage....(they actually tried it with some of the ladies singing the Walkure - and one - alas - was slightly injured... she's ok now....
Love,
♥ Robin ♥
Willow - I KNEW you would enjoy this...the Operatic World IS a dramatic one and you really know all about that.... I love it - although I am no "Drama Queen"!
ReplyDeleteLove,
♥ Robin ♥
"T et D", of course you loved this - SFO is your second home too! Glad you liked the photos....I did take more, but my post would have been TOO LONG hadI posted them all......next time!
ReplyDeleteLove,
♥ Robin ♥
Suki, your second comment had me howling!
ReplyDeleteI can just visualise "Child-Suki" throwing a tantrum of OPERATIC PROPORTIONS when she didn't get her ice cream! Too funny....
I am glad you could feel the anticipation as these three operas "get ready"....Opening Night for "Faust" is June 5th!
Love,
♥ Robin ♥
well! i know so little about opera but i loved this post. the costumes, the grand hall, the horse and girl!!
ReplyDeletei can feel the energy pouring forth, robin. i am so glad! nothing like passion (of any kind) to spring alive and then some.
more please....
love
kj
KJB! I am so happy you stopped by.... I know Opera is not your "thing".... but, I also know you can feel my passion for it...and, understand. A few more days of rehearsals - then the performances begin - for real. I am going to see if I can capture a few more photos.... (there are two enormous hounds who daah across the stage in "Walkure"....would love to photograph them)!
ReplyDeleteLove you, Love You - dear KJB!
♥ Robin ♥
I think this is a wnderful post! When you care about someone you want to know more about their passions and thrills. Yay for posting this! What a treat for you (and them) to have you be a part of this.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving the photo of you and Whiz Kid ;)
Thanks for sharing, Robin!
xoxoxo
♥Lo♥