Costume Designer

Juan Perón and his second wife, Eva Duarte, were the most influential people in 20th Century Argentine politics. He came to power in 1946 pushing a populist agenda that made him very successful. Eva, a natural politician, surpassed him in charisma. When she died of cancer in her early 30's, her image became mythical. To this day, politicians across the spectrum try to wrap themselves in her flag in order to succeed. Argentina has lived with this myth for seven long decades. This story is about Perón's third wife and running mate in the 1973 elections, Isabel.  She took over from him when he died in office in 1974, and tried to fashion herself after Evita, with the aid of a close confidant rumored to be a warlock. It didn't work out. In 1976 the military coup that ousted her opened the gates of hell, and through them thirty thousand souls were lost. Raw ambition, black magic in the presidential palace, and the ghosts of Perón and Evita intertwine in this tale, told by someone who witnessed those tumultuous times first hand, set to a ravishing, propulsive score by Argentinean composer Carlos Franzetti. The San Francisco Camerata's recording of Corpus Evita for Amapola Records, conducted by Maestro Moscovich was nominated for a Grammy in 2005.

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Corpus Evita

Lucie Stern Community Theatre

In early 1900’s Nagasaki, an American naval officer weds a young Japanese woman. Months later he leaves her, unaware that she is pregnant with his son, and promises to come back. Three years later, she is nearly destitute and shunned by her family for becoming a Christian, but she is steadfast in her conviction that he will return. He does return, with a new American wife, remorseful but ready to take his son back with him. Devastated, Butterfly gives up the child and commits suicide.  Madama Butterfly is based on the play by David Belasco, which was very popular when it premiered in 1900. The play's success reflected the shock waved sent around the world by the American triumph in the Spanish-American war, as a result of which the once mighty Spanish Empire lost Cuba and the Philippines. The young and socially awkward Pinkerton serves as an allegory for the nascent American empire, well meaning but not fully aware of its impact on the ancient cultures with which it came into contact.  This is considered Puccini's dramatically most effective and powerful score.  It is one of the 10 most performed operas in the repertoire.

Madama Butterfly

Gordon Getty's celebrated opera reimagined for film, Goodbye, Mr. Chips, receives a special screening at the historic Cameo Cinema in St. Helena. Getty’s fourth opera is based on the popular 1934 book Goodbye, Mr. Chips and other stories by James Hilton. Directed by Brian Staufenbiel, the film features tenor Nathan Granner, soprano Marnie Breckenridge, baritone Lester Lynch, and bass-baritone Kevin Short. The orchestra of stellar Bay Area players is conducted by Nicole Paiement. Members of the Young People’s Chorus of New York City, conducted by Francisco J. Núñez, also perform.

Goodbye, Mr. Chips

Cameo Cinemas

Condemned to roam the seas forever in his ghost ship, the Flying Dutchman comes ashore every seventh year seeking redemption through a woman who will be true to him. Could Captain Daland’s daughter, Senta, be that woman? This is Wagner’s take on the old legend, and his first major operatic success.

The Flying Dutchman

This is the most frequently performed opera in the entire repertoire, though West Bay Opera has only presented it 8 times in the last 65 years. Our last production was in May 2010.  The libretto is adapted from a play based on the novel "La dame aux camélias" by Alexandre Dumas fills.   Although its La Fenice premiere was a failure, apparently due to casting problems, it was presented again a year later at another venue in Venice and it became a major success, quickly traveling around Europe and to the US. La traviata became the standard against which the work of a whole generation of composers was measured. Even Puccini was warned against presenting La bohème, because the parallels in the story would invite comparisons with Verd's work.  Though topically it has become a period piece, it remains a mastepiece of operatic writing, including some of the most famous arias and ensembles in the entire operatic repertoire. A good Traviata production makes for a fabulous night at the opera.

Callie Floor

Costume Designer

Events

Past events

16 - 25 Feb, 2024

Corpus Evita · West Bay Opera

13 - 22 Oct, 2023

Madama Butterfly · West Bay Opera

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