Backstage at Ariadne auf Naxos

So I actually got to be IN this opera, and not just lurk backstage with a needle and thread. Here's the amazing Amanda Moody

You may know her as the world-famous Marie Plette, but she'll always be my quilting buddy:

And here's the phenomenal Buffy Baggot, who appears as The Composer. We had absolutely no fun together at all, ever.

 Last, but not least, is Sacha the luminous makeup artist. Funny how she never seems to need any makeup with that gorgeous glowing skin she's got:

The San Francisco Chronicle loved us, by the way. Did I mention that part?

Jumping Back In!

So after a brief period between shows, I'm jumping back into the costuming insanity.

A photo shoot next week for Berkeley Opera's fall production of Xerxes involves research into historic Turkish medals, which will decorate the costume of Xerxes herself. The story of Xerxes takes place by the Hellespont, which is now known as the Dardanelles, a narrow strait in northwestern Turkey.

In the interest of time it's tempting to just grab a bunch of medals from the Army/Navy surplus store, but out of respect for our military folks - and my retired USMC Colonel father in law specifically - I'm re-creating medals and insignias of the era.

 

Also, there's The Legend of the Ring, opening July 31st. This modern-day version of the show condenses 18 hours of opera into 3 1/2 hours, enabling it to be performed in one night instead of three nights. The smaller cast has multiple costume changes since eight singers take the place of about 20. I'm working on making Brunhilde have a bit more of a dominatrix-y flavor to her Valkyrie costume with subtle studded and lacing-up elements. I'm currently brainstorming the theme for the Rhine Maidens.

I might also be working on a non-operatic 1930s period musical in October, stay tuned!

Tech Week Prep

A big day today, I'm reviewing each of 34 costumes on a detailed individual basis for Saturday's premiere of The Tender Land for Berkeley Opera. I'm tea staining fabrics to the correct dingy hue, using power tools to wear down logical pressure points of clothing, and distressing leather shoes. Photos to come!