"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."


Sunday, June 24, 2012

The Magic Flute - from the Audience and Backstage


Only one more week of Summer Opera, then our short season ends.  I spent most of my time at *Nixon in China* rehearsals and performances, as it turned out (surprisingly) to be my favourite!  However, last week, JUST back from Santa Fe, I read e-mails from all 3 of my team who were scheduled to work *Magic Flute* that they were unable to attend!  Sooooo...as the Manager, you know who had to go in...


The *Queen of the Night* wearing my FAVOURITE costume... hmmmm....wonder why I like it so much?




I ended up having a great (but tiring) night....it's  LOT of work making sure 100-plus people have coffee, tea and food - all by yourself.  But, it happened to be the night SF Opera photographs all the singers in costume for our archives....so I had a great view of all the photo sessions!  Above: the 
* Villain*, Monostatus, plots his revenge on *Princess Pamina*.

Below: *Monostatus* posing - front and back for posterity!














Above: The *Birdman, Papageno* and his *Birdlove, Papagena* and all their *Bird-Chicks* live happily ever after!

Below: the *Chicks* pose....








Sarastro, the  head of the *Magical Order* where the hero and heroine strive to obtain entrance to.






The role is sung by the wonderful Kristinn Sigmundsson, a long time favourite of mine.  (He sang in our *Tristan* in 2007...and was fabulous!) So, when he came down for his archival photos....I HAD to ask if he would pose with me afterwards.  (Something I rarely do.)

He is a VERY tall man..and had to remove his costume hat in order to get into the doorway!
And...one more...posing with Beau Gibson - one of the HEAVILY ARMOURED Men, who guard Sarastro's Kingdom.


His armour looks like the real thing....but it's actually quite light...though I still managed to catch my hair on some of the *spikes*!  Ouch!

I ended up having a great time...I worked another *Nixon* the following night....had an Opera-free weekend.....so today, I am going out for a walk.  I'm still learning all the *hows and whys* of my new camera!

Have a glorious Sunday!

Love,

♥ Robin ♥


Posted by Robin at 8:18 AM
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20 comments:

  1. DeborahJune 24, 2012 at 8:48 AM

    WOW! Very impressive! The costumes are amazing. Such an enchanted life you lead. **blows kisses** Deb

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    1. RobinJune 25, 2012 at 7:42 AM

      Deb....these costumes were amazing...a lot of fun for the audience...and for the many youngsters who saw their first opera!

      *Enchanted Life*...no, not really...but, it is a lot of fun to be involved in something I am so passionate about.

      Blowing Kisses right back to you!!!

      Love,

      ♥ Robin ♥

      Delete
  2. AnonymousJune 24, 2012 at 10:48 AM

    hello Robin, these are wonderful pictures, colorful and very inspiring, the colors are so bright, and the people in these costumes look impressive! I hope you are not too tired from that extra-effort you had to put in! Here in Paris, it's a grey June day today, raining cats and dogs. ...So, these colors here are good for the soul, have a great Sunday, love from Paris, Andrea (writing you from a new blog set up with my fellow artistfriend Kim)

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    1. RobinJune 25, 2012 at 7:44 AM

      Bon Jour, Cher Andrea!!! It has been *forever* since we chatted... I will be off to check out your new blog now. (Love the title.)

      I hope that the rain has ended and the sun is shining for you, Kim and...your Furry Ones!

      Big Hugs,

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  3. TeriJune 24, 2012 at 4:24 PM

    I just love seeing and hearing about all your opera activities. It's like magic.
    ps, gosh, I love those costumes!

    Hugs

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    1. RobinJune 25, 2012 at 7:45 AM

      Teri...this particular opera has great, whimsical costumes...you would love seeing it in person...

      Love,

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  4. MimJune 25, 2012 at 3:19 AM

    Those costumes are SO wonderful - especially the baby birds. I just love those. My mom saw Nixon in China and said it was pretty good - to her surprise.

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    1. RobinJune 25, 2012 at 7:48 AM

      Mim....aren't the *Baby Birds* adorable?
      They usually aren't included in *Magic Flute* productions...but were a real audience-pleaser here....

      Your Mum and I think alike....I, too, was completely surprised by how much I loved *Nixon*....who knew John Adams (the oh-so-modern Composer) could write such gorgeous, passionate music!

      Love,

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  5. SnowbrushJune 25, 2012 at 11:16 AM

    You had rather look like "Queen of the Night" than little chicky?!

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    1. RobinJune 26, 2012 at 7:07 AM

      Snow... well, the *Queen of the Night* - especially wearing LILAC - does seem a bit closer to my heart....those Chicks WERE adorable though....I loved that their wings could open and close...and also loved their little *cotton-ball tails*!

      Love,

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  6. Cris, Artist in OregonJune 25, 2012 at 12:52 PM

    Loved the costumes. Especially the little kids in bird costumes. You have way to much fun. :)))My little bird charges say PEEP PEEP PEEP :))

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    1. RobinJune 26, 2012 at 7:09 AM

      Cris.... those *little chicks* steal the audience's heart at every performance!

      I do have fun...it can be a lot of work at times....but, the *payback* is enormous...

      I send ALL your feathered charges many "Peep-Peep-Peeps" from....Robin!!! A-ha-ha!

      Love to all,

      ♥ R ♥

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  7. kjJune 25, 2012 at 8:21 PM

    I wish I were saying something other than oh those costumes! But mybgosh are they stunning! You're looking damn good yourself, wrobin.

    Isn't the camera like having a fun friend to gallivant with?! I love the company of my camera. Are you, unlike me, learning the technical side of point and shoot?

    Love
    kj

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    1. RobinJune 26, 2012 at 7:14 AM

      Hi KJ... I am LOVING my new camera! (The first thing I learned was - how to use the *Zoom*! A-ha-ha!) Alas, I haven't read through much more of the manual... but, I WILL!

      The *Flute* Costumes are so much fun! The audience begins smiling right as the curtain goes up....

      Sending you and the *Finder of Lost Earrings* - (I wore them the other day....and ALWAYS remember....) big, big hugs and much love,

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  8. Ring3141June 25, 2012 at 10:23 PM

    You deserve an Opera Medal for those back to back nights. A special "Bravo" for "holding the fort" by yourself!!!

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    1. RobinJune 26, 2012 at 7:15 AM

      Thank you for the kind words *Mysterious RING3141*....you know how much I love our Company...and this is a great way to show it!

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  9. Secret Agent WomanJune 26, 2012 at 4:24 AM

    Wow, those are amazing costumes. I find I just see the world a little differently when I have my camera with me.

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    1. RobinJune 26, 2012 at 7:17 AM

      CS - welcome back! I hope your holiday was wonderful! Yes, I love using my camera to reflect what is happening on any given day!

      Hugs,

      ♥ Robin ♥

      Delete
  10. SnowbrushJune 26, 2012 at 11:19 AM

    "well, the *Queen of the Night* - especially wearing LILAC - does seem a bit closer to my heart..."

    Yeah, I know, everyone wants to be "Queen of the Night," and no one wants to be a humble chicken scratching in the dirt for bugs. There's a tattoo shop here in Eugene that's called "High Priestess Tattoos and Piercings." What I want to know is where the scullery maids go for their tattoos. ARE there no scullery maids anymore; is EVERYONE a high priestess nowadays?

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  11. AnonymousJune 26, 2012 at 12:27 PM

    Hi Robin, thank you for stopping by www.kindartsavetheworld.wordpress.com the other day. I hope you will be able to follow us.

    This looks like great fun and a tremendous amount of work! Wow, this must be truly a fabulous production to see! I love the costumes!

    My daughter just moved to the Bay area and is now attending USF for an MFA in creative nonfiction. I will tell her about this.

    Have a Wonderful Day! Kim

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