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Memories Project

 

In 2009, Ann Farris and Richard Sparks began recording the San Francisco Opera experiences of colleagues, former staff, and visiting artists. Their team grew to include Mary Seastrand, Marianne Welmers, Stan Dufford, and Richard Balthazar who brought editing, organizing, and preservation skills to these efforts. This ongoing Memories Project brings the Company’s earliest days to life through testimony by insiders like head carpenter John Priest, conductor Willie Anthony Waters, soprano Shigemi Matsumoto, and head of props Lori Harrison, among others.

 

 

An opera ensemble stands on a dimly lit stage. A man in a mustard shirt and tie sings at center, surrounded by performers in earth-toned costumes and headwraps.

The Adler era

Willie Anthony Waters: The Influences of KHA

Conductor and opera administrator, Willie Waters, credits his time under Kurt Herbert Adler as critical to his successful career.  Dive in as he recalls those 4 pivotal years at SF Opera.

(read time ~ 13 minutes)

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Black-and-white portrait of a smiling, mustached man in a suit and tie, with other people blurred in the background.

Founders History

Alessandro Baccari: The Founding of SF Opera

To Alessandro Baccari II, Gaetano Merola "was like a second papà, a second father, because – he and his wife took me into their lives and treated me as if I were one of the family."  Introducing him to his first opera at the age of three, to Merola's death while conducting at Stern Grove -- Baccari's father sums it up best -- “Don’t forget it: He’s not only given us a gift of love of music, an appreciation of something special, but scugnizzo, he’s giving you love. Don’t ever forget it.”

(read time ~ 30 minutes)

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Black-and-white archival photo of a man and woman reviewing a costume sketch in front of bookshelves. The man holds the drawing and has a cigarette in his mouth.

Goldstein & Co.

Richard Levin: The Goldstein & Co. Era

Goldstein & Co. was SF Opera's costumer from the very beginning; right up until they closed their doors in the early 1970s and sold their stock to the Company. Which then founded its own in-house costume shop.  Richard Levin, one of the last members of the Goldstein family to work in the shop, recalls the history of his family's company -- established in 1868 -- costumers to vaudeville, theaters, musical reviews, silent films, movie studios, masquerade balls, and of course, opera.

(read time ~ 13 minutes)

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Black-and-white archival photo of a smiling, bearded man seated at a desk covered with papers, with bookshelves behind him. His glasses hang from a cord around his neck.

La Giocanda, 1979

John Priest: La Gioconda, 1979

It's 1979 and La Gioconda is being televised LIVE across the US and Europe.  In fact, it is the first international televised opera production EVER.

What could possibly go wrong?  

Read on to find out how a simple hammer averted an international fiasco with mere seconds to spare!

(read time ~ 6 minutes)

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A singer in a lavender puff-sleeved costume rests her chin on folded arms beside a sheer, dotted curtain.

WOT Memories

Shigemi Matsumoto: Bus and Trucking across the US

Ms. Matsumoto recalls touring with Western Opera Theater from 1968-1970.  Jump in and learn about "bus and trucking"  up and down the west coast.

(read time ~ 10 minutes)

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Black-and-white archival photo of an opera performer in costume standing among a seated audience. Beside him, a woman bends forward with her hands over her face as nearby spectators watch.

WOT Memories

Joyce Castle: More Bus and Trucking!

What was it like touring via bus and truck?  Joyce Castle shares a bit of insight on just that!

(read time ~ 7 minutes)

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Black-and-white archival photo of a costumed performer being fitted into a suit of armor in a crowded room lined with armor, helmets, and weapons.

Scenic Construction Shop

Allen Gross: Secrets of a Scenic Artist

The use of plastics, foam, and resin in the building of sets was revolutionary - but how did it come about? Longtime family friend to the Goldsteins and former SF Opera staffer between 1970-1992, Allen Gross answers all of these questions as well as recounting the epic tale of how "Moose" saved the UN Charter signing ceremony.  

(run time ~ 20 minutes)

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A woman examines a silver platter piled with colorful fruit in a storage room filled with dishes, metalware, and other props. A step ladder stands beside her.

Props Master, pt. 1

Lori Harrison: Master of Props, part 1

What is the difference between a prop and a piece of scenery? And who provides all those swords, chairs, edibles, and live animals that we see on stage? Lori Harrison speaks with Ann Farris about the Prop Department and her path to becoming the Company’s Master of Properties.

(run time ~ 16 minutes; read time ~ 13 minutes)

Listen
A woman in a blue shirt smiles in a storage area lined with stacked boxes covered in colorful vintage labels.

PROPS MASTER, PT.2

Lori Harrison: Master of Props, part 2

Join Ann Farris for Part 2, as she discovers the path that led Lori Harrison to the enviable position as SF Opera's current Master of Properties. 

(run time ~ 25 minutes)

Listen
A grainy color archival photo of a performer standing onstage in a shimmering costume with large feathered wings spread wide.

Opera Ballet dancer and choreographer

Carlos Carvajal: Ballet in the Early Years

"In the Fall of 1950, at the age of nineteen, I joined the San Francisco Opera Ballet under the direction of Willem Christensen. Maestro Merola was still alive and the Opera had a distinctly Italian flavor."

(read time ~ 19 minutes)

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A smiling woman with short gray hair poses in a red top and silver necklace against a colorful abstract backdrop.

SF Opera Center

Sheri Greenawald: Leading the SFOC

As the then newly appointed director of the Opera Center, Sheri Greenawald made the tough decision to close down the Company's touring branch, WOT - Western Opera Theater.  Read on to learn more.

(read time ~ 13 minutes)

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