Opera Photos

Whew!  I am surfacing for a moment to share some photos from our first two productions of the Season.  Today is the final performance of *Rigoletto*, last night was the opening performance of *i Capuleti e i Montecchi*.  Tomorrow, the Piano Dress Rehearsal of what I think may be my favourite of the season - *Moby Dick*

Rigoletto

by Giuseppe Verdi

With our WONDERFUL Maestro Nikki!

i Capuletti e i Montecchi

by Vincenzo Bellini

Hurried photos - as it was Opening Night!

Suit and Hat designed by Christian Lacroix

Gown designed by Christian Lacroix

The *infamous* 6" heels the Supers have to wear and run down many stairs in!  Mon Dieu!

Opening Night Bracelets given to all the cast - and sweetly - including one for me - in purple!  *Toi, Toi, Toi*.  (The Opera equivalent of *Break a Leg*.)

I hope you enjoyed the backstage tour...more to come soon!

Love,

♥ Robin ♥

I Capuletti e I Montecchi and Moby Dick

I've *surfaced*....to use a *seafaring* pun!  But I wanted to show you some of the latest backstage *thingies*!  First, for *I Capuletti e I Montecchi * some of the lovely (and brave) Supers wearing gowns designed by Christian Lacroix. He also designed their 6" shoes... sorry, no photo of the shoes yet....yesterday's Piano Dress was a crazed and hurried affair....  the shoes (and they are really something) will be photographed next week!  The flower in the mouth represents the fact the women has no say in the 14th Century!

Now, on to *Moby Dick*....I have only been to two rehearsals so far....no sets, no costumes....but, OMG....the music, the singing...this is going to be THE HIT of the season!

These cartoons were placed on the backstage bulletin board - and I had to share!  Tasteless, but funny!

I hope you all have a great weekend!  Tomorrow, I will be at the first rehearsal for "Lohengrin"....a most beloved opera of mine!

Love,

♥ Robin ♥

Sailing

These days, I *surface* up  out of the Opera House to enjoy a free day! Last Saturday, I did just that with a new-found friend, Birgit.  She is a German Journalist who is doing a feature interview with one of our *Rigolettos*.  We met at a Dress Rehearsal....and swapped *Opera Backstage Stories*... then, much to my surprise, she invited me to go sailing with her!  Of course, I said yes!  Now, I am a Sea-lover to be sure, but I have NEVER sailed in San Francisco on our choppy waters.  But, *armed* with Ginger Capsules 
(to prevent sea-sickness), I met Birgit at the San Francisco Sailing Company.

I arrived a bit early so I could photograph the *infamous* Sea Lions at Pier 39.  All was still and relatively quiet...very few tourists up and about ..

Even this fellow was sound asleep!

But, this BIG GUY was wide awake!  And so were his friends!

I met Birgit and we found our Ship, the Santa Maria.

It was one of those typical San Francisco *Summer* Days....sunshine to the East, thick fog to the West.

We boarded, along with fifteen other *brave souls* - and set off..

The Bay Bridge and some fog and blue skies!

Alcatraz

Coit Tower and foggy skies..

Headed West...towards the Fog-Shrouded Golden Gate....

Nearing the Bridge....  it was really cold and windy, and the waves were beginning to intensify!

Time for Mimosas!

You can see we dressed for the occasion!  A-ha-ha!

Sailing directly under the Golden Gate!  Too cool!

The waters were definitely getting choppier!

Then, a freighter appeared..... hmmmm..who has the *right of way*?

 They did!  A-ha-ha!

Whew!  That was close!

Sails against the Bridge....it was a glorious experience!

I hope you enjoyed sailing along!

Love,

♥ Robin ♥

Animal Wednesday.....oops...noooo Thursday

It seems that I have been living at the Opera....because .....I have! So many rehearsals, then performances, then more rehearsals as we add a second opera to our series....GASP!   Time to come up for air - and animals!

 I met my friend Carol and we walked over to Stow Lake.  We haven't been there in a month.... Autumn IS on her way..... less people, hungrier *critters*....so, armed with two loaves of bread, two large packages of peanuts and one huge box of Cheerios....we set off on a semi-Sunny day.  That *Autumn Tingle* is in the air.... even here.  We began at my *Magic Grove* where I met the Red Fox many months ago...

No Red Foxes....but some red berries..

And leaves...

Someone had the fabulous idea of creating a lovely bench from a downed tree.

 Okay..time to meet my beloved Stellar Jays again!

They ADORE Peanuts!!!!

Where's MY peanut!!!!!

I love to place some peanuts in the hollow of this tree.  The Stellar Jays are SO SMART....as soon as they watch  me put the peanuts in..they are right there....

I know I am beautiful!!!  But more peanuts please!  Stop taking photos!

Mr. Squirrel and many of his brethren were there too....  everyone had a FEAST..and Carol and I had a day filled with beauty.. being amid Nature is the BEST!

Happy Animal Thursday!!!!  Tomorrow...back to the Opera House!

Love,

♥ Robin ♥

Scenes from *Rigoletto* Final Dress Rehearsal

I KNOW you all have been *breathlessly* awaiting  to hear some of the singers from our first opera of the season - *Rigoletto*! This video was recorded  last Wednesday.... enjoy!  (Backstage photos coming soon...)

Ciao Bellas!

♥ Robin ♥

A Day in San Francisco

I'm combining photos from two different days, one last week, and one just yesterday to show you what my world has been like when I have not been working at the Opera!  

These first photos were taken yesterday - I awoke to the sound of Fog Horns and....Fog....over my home, across the street - everywhere.

Later though, it began to melt away, leaving only a *magic-cloud-like remnant* over the Bay itself...

My Morning View

Atop the 300 Lyon Street Steps (which I try to walk up and down at least twice a week now) to help strengthen my leg.  The Palace of Fine Arts is the domed building to the left.

Down at the Palace, I discovered:

I love this photo - although it not centered. - but I caught Mr. Egret swallowing a fish...

*Ducks (and Turtles) in a Row*!  All enjoying the brief respite of sun and warmth.

About to sail under the Golden Gate Bridge.  What?  You can't see the Bridge?  Trust me, it's there....  

And....here's Alcatraz....really!

The second group of photos, taken last week, are of *my* Swans at the Palace of Fine Arts.  They are now four months old...and almost as large as their parents.  (I finally spoke to one of the Groundskeepers and learned the parents' names:  Blanche and Blue Boy). The grey one (my favourite....I just can't help it) is slowly beginning to lose his grey feathers and reveal snow-white ones underneath.

Papa *Blue Boy* and one of the Cygnets

It's nap time!

Hello, it's Mr. Grey - aka - *Sir Galahad*!

"Enough photos....I need  my *beauty sleep*!  Can you see my White Feathers beginning to show?"

Family Photo

 This will have to do as my *Animal Wednesday* Post....  the next three days I'll be at rehearsals.... and Opening Night for *Rigoletto* is Thursday!

Love,

♥ Robin ♥