"This is the violet hour, the hour of hush and wonder, when the affectations glow and valor is reborn, when the shadows deepen along the edge of the forest and we believe that, if we watch carefully, at any moment we may see the unicorn."


Monday, December 5, 2011

SFO End of Season

Last night, our 2011 Season ended.... this year, SFO truly ran the gamut of different operas...from the Imperial Court of Ancient Peking (*Turandot*) to the poignant, beautiful *Heart of a Soldier*,  the Italian Borgias, to that sexy scoundrel - *Don Giovanni* ,  Handel's Baroque *Xerxes* and, finally to.....*Carmen*....which seemed to play on and on and ON for eternity!  It was, for the most part, a solid season.. my two undeniable favourites were *Heart of a Solider* and Don Giovanni*....but, it was great fun to bring Marianne backstage (when she visited me in SF) to see *my world* - for a *Carmen* Final Dress.  (Ah, *Carmencita* - my LEAST favourite production this year...and I worked EIGHT of them!)

So, here, in photos, are some memories of the season!  Enjoy! 

 Imperial Court Ladies wait to make their entrance in *Turandot*



 Some of the *Heart of a Soldier* Cast.  (Including the handsome, new rising tenor - Ta'u Pupu'a in WWII costume.)  Why are these men dressed in Business Suits for *Costumes*?  Because the final scene takes place in the Twin Towers on 9/11...

Baritone Thomas Hampson and Cast

 Tenor William Burden in Army Gear


Renee Fleming as *Lucrezia* and her Borgia Courtiers


 Tenor Michael Fabiano.... in this costume, he kept reminding me of Billy Idol....and he acted a lot like him too on stage!  We all kept breaking into "White Wedding" backstage!

LUV the boots!!!



The Ghostly Zombie-Statues of *Xerxes*


  Countertenor David Daniels

 Mezzo Sonia Prina...she is a *Princess* who disguises herself as a man.  Marianne, she is the woman we saw on the ferry when we went to Sausalito!

 Bwaaa.....hahaa

 Mezzo Susan Graham....she plays the role of a man - our *hero*, Xerxes!



Ooohh.......that naughty *Carmencita*!

Ole!


 A Sister meets *Ladies of the Night*!  Dios Mio!


 Here's what really goes on backstage...waiting for entrances....  A-ha-ha!


Ah, it's over...until May....when our Summer Season begins!

Bravi to all who made this SF Opera season a success!

Love,

♥ Robin ♥
Posted by Robin at 10:25 AM
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11 comments:

  1. TeriDecember 5, 2011 at 12:44 PM

    It looks like a great year and lots of fun. Love all those costumes.

    We saw Andrea Bocelli on TV, so awesome. My husband even enjoyed him and he doesn't like opera.

    Thank you Robin for being such a sweetheart, full of hugs and love. I so appreciate it.

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  2. SnowbrushDecember 6, 2011 at 3:16 AM

    I sure enjoyed these photos, Robin. Since you miss Rhode Island, you might enjoy visiting KJ's blog (http://karenjasperDOTblogspotDOTcom/). She often posts pictures from there.

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  3. sukipoetDecember 6, 2011 at 10:35 AM

    thanks for the opera review. my favorite photo is the one of the woman in silver standing over the man with the white face and hair.

    a high powered season and you were part of it. I am so in admiration for all you do and for your love of opera.

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  4. A.SmithDecember 6, 2011 at 12:42 PM

    Making scones today I thought of you and Karen and sharing a cup of tea by the fire and it made me smile and feeling better, as if the rain and gray outside couldn't touch the warmth inside. Hugs from here, you sound wonderful!

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  5. RobinDecember 6, 2011 at 2:16 PM

    Teri....your DH liking Andrea Bocelli is a HUGE start! Bravo!

    I am glad you liked the photos....we have an excellent costume department - and I can tell you the costimes are as gorgeous up close and feel luxurious to the touch!

    YOU KNOW I can relate to all you are currently going through..... Sunshine was truly, truly special.

    Love, always,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  6. RobinDecember 6, 2011 at 2:19 PM

    Snow.....I am always happy when you come to visit! I love that my photos are pleasing!

    Actually, KJ and I ARE friends....in fact, I actually met her last year at her YART event and this year, Lo and I drove to Mim's where the four of us had brunch. et me tell you all three of them are wonderful women!

    Big Hugs to you.....I know we are both missing Nolly a lot.... (I used to enjoy the debates you two had about God.... I will miss them so...)

    More Hugs and love to Peg, Blue and Brewsky,

    ♥ Robin ♥.

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  7. RobinDecember 6, 2011 at 2:21 PM

    Suki.... you know, I HAD a feeling you would like those photos from *Xerxes*! The costumes actually caused a lot of controversy....but, I thought they were effective - particularly as a compliment to the set.

    I miss you! We must talk again soon!

    Love to you and Bibs,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  8. RobinDecember 6, 2011 at 3:03 PM

    Allegra........I MISS YOU SO! Hoping life smooths out for us both - so perhaps we CAN meet in OR in January!!!!!

    We'll keep in touch, ok.

    Love to you, Barry and the Furry Kids!

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  9. kjDecember 6, 2011 at 8:48 PM

    tea and scones with allegra? oh what a thought!
    truly, if you are able to visit in january, i think both your hearts will rejoice.

    what a recap here, robin. i can't say opera is my favorite musical medium, but who could beat these costumes? my favorite is the incongruous card game!

    ♥
    kj

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  10. Cris, Artist in OregonDecember 7, 2011 at 4:51 PM

    Now that its all over for awhile... what will you do? Looks like you have lots of fun with all this. Fun to see the costumes.

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  11. MimDecember 7, 2011 at 8:01 PM

    What great pictures! I'm sure you're sorry it's all over thisnyear

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