My Dream Come True

You know those dreams you always hold deep down in your passion center- and at 50 you realize its more than likely never going to happen...well designing, making, even taking care of the amazing costumes at the Opera has always been high on my list. This weekend the rare opportunity to not only peruse the amazing place storing all the treasures but a chance to purchase some of the pieces the opera is ready to pass on makes me quiver with excitement! I imagine there will be MANY others who share my passion — get there early!

SAN FRANCISCO OPERA COSTUME SHOP SALE

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC OCTOBER 24 & 25

Spectacular Array of One-Of-A-Kind Costumes, Hats, Masks, Shoes, and Fabrics

Rare Sale Includes Designs by Noted Costume and Fashion Designers

and Costumes Worn by Opera’s Greatest Stars

SAN FRANCISCO (October 5, 2009) — Looking for a unique piece of opera memorabilia, or the

ultimate Halloween costume? Don’t miss the San Francisco Opera Costume Shop Sale on Saturday,

October 24 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m and on Sunday, October 25 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the

San Francisco Opera Scene Shop, located at 800 Indiana Street (between 20th and 22nd Streets) in San

Francisco.

For only the fourth time in its history, San Francisco Opera opens its extensive and historic

costume warehouse to the public. This rare sale offers hundreds of stylish and exotic items, including

hats, masks, fabrics and shoes, as well as handmade costumes spanning a wide variety of styles and

periods, for men, women and children.

In addition to medieval, biblical, Renaissance, and eighteenth-century costumes, modern and

vintage clothing previously worn in San Francisco Opera productions are also available, as well as

conceptual and fantasy costumes that defy description.

Hand painted kimonos from Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, photo emulsion-printed costumes from

Verdi’s Macbeth, spectacular 18th-century costumes from Massenet’s Manon, and hand painted soldier

costumes from Verdi’s La Forza del Destino are among the one-of-a-kind costumes on sale.

The sale includes a special collection of costumes worn by some of opera’s greatest luminaries at

San Francisco Opera, including Montserrat Caballé, Beverly Sills, Leontyne Price, Luciano Pavarotti,

Régine Crespin, Plácido Domingo, Renée Fleming, Thomas Hampson, Mirella Freni, Samuel Ramey, and

Dame Joan Sutherland. Pieces by noted fashion and costume designers such as Gianni Versace, Bob

Mackie, Thierry Bosquet, and Jean-Pierre Ponnelle are also featured.

Prices range from $1 to $750; prices for costumes from the special opera luminaries collection are

available on request. Cash and credit card accepted. All sales are final and benefit San Francisco Opera.

For more information, visit sfopera.com.