Our Darling Grandchildren

Our darlings (l. to r.) Alina, Hayden, Hailey, Kyla, Cassidy

Almost Sunrise

Enjoying sunrise on a beautiful morning.

Opera in the Park

Our third fall in SF, our third Opera in the Park, this year meeting our friends Lynne and Mike to hear current SF Opera singers perform beautiful Puccini arias and those of the other 'ini's', too. All the singers were incredible, including the four! tenors.

My (Our) Three Sons

(l. to r.) Steve, Andrew, David

Enjoyed a visit with our guys and families in Carlsbad / Encinitas last week, and got them together for this quick pix. 

When they were very small, I remember telling my (horrified) mother that I didn't care what they looked like as long as they had great bodies! Not to worry, they're all buff, and their faces ain't bad either. Vhat a mudder, huh?!! 

Bill's piano ~ finally!

We've been without our piano for two years, first when we rented our home, then it was in storage after our home sold. It took a while to be confident the movers could fit the piano in the elevator ~ the alternative was a crane - up 16 stories - I don't think so. But the movers did it! today! We're thrilled to have it back, and it fits perfectly in the location planned ~ looking like it has been there forever.

Not Quite Farewell

Five of the Elegant Ladies

Can't resist posting these lovely Elegant Ladies from Attila.

Farewell Attila

The final performance yesterday, and a few photos for keepsake. So hope we'll be called as supers for operas in the fall.

Roman Warriors with enemy Attila (Ferruccio Furlanetto)

Together at last ... Roman Soldiers

but enemies here ... Warrior vs Hun

Dad 100 years today

The beautiful and handsome
Virginia & Howard

My father Howard would have been 100 today ~ June 30. Miss you so much, Dad.

Attila, oh Attila!

We're continually thrilled to be part of this magnificent opera ~ heard here (3') http://sfopera.com/Season-Tickets/2011-2012-Season/Attila.aspx#media-videos We're in some of the scenes in this video, but don't look for us!! The supernumerary 'papparazzi' had five minutes onstage just before performance last night to take all the pix our hearts desired. So sad our last performance is Sunday.

Supernumerary Papparazzi
- our 5' onstage to take pix of one another. 

City Hall lights up for SF Pride

City Hall lights up again - from Giants orange and Holiday red and green - to last weekend's SF Pride pink and purple.

Just three more (Attila) Performances

It's exciting to be 'performing' in Attila; each opera similar to the last but also unique on its own. 

Some of the fierce! 'Virgin' Warriors

A few very elegant Ladies 

Some very quick costume changes  (from warrior to monk) to the last change (Roman soldier to elegant lady), this one just off stage in only two minutes with dressers madly stripping and dressing us. 
The wonderful dressers constantly come up with ways to make each change quicker than the last, such as sewing elastic strips into shoe straps in order to slip on shoes without buckling. 

Scenes from Attila

Bill is somewhere on the rubble ruins among the Roman Soldier, and I'm in the first balcony of the banquet scene. After opening night, great reviews in all the newspapers. Five more performances, closing July 1.

Bill (r.) - Roman Soldier

Beth (l.) - Elegant Lady

Attila Final Rehearsal

The Final Rehearsal for Attila was held last night. It was very exciting to be before a live audience, and from the enthusiastic applause the opera should be a great success; we'll see from reviews next week after Opening Night.

Elegant Lady

To transform from Roman Soldier to Elegant Lady and then climb up a ladder into a balcony ruins in less than two minutes took dressers stripping costume pieces off and being attended to head to foot - literally!

In this scene I'm a Hermit Monk having 'helped' raise a cross and then standing on rubble with arms outstretched awaiting news of a new Venice.

Supernumeraries in SF Opera

We applied last year and have been called as supernumeraries for Attila which runs for six performances June 12 to July 1. It's a huge production, and very exciting to be on stage surrounded by incredible singers - chorus and principals alike - Verdi's music is thrilling. 

Huns (Bill, left)

Bill is a Hun Warrior and a Roman Soldier in four scenes, and I'm in five scenes, first as a 'Virgin' Warrior, then a Monk, a Cleric, a Roman Soldier and an elegant lady. 


We both have action in some scenes, others are preset. When one of the stage directors noticed our names, he moved me into a spot next to Bill, so we hold 'guard' together as Roman Soldiers. I'll post more photos in costume as we get them.


http://sfopera.com/Season-Tickets/2011-2012-Season/Attila.aspx

75 Golden Gate Bridge Anniversary

I'm getting back to my 'scrapbook' with beautiful pix from the 75th Golden Gate Bridge celebration yesterday. 

The Nimitz aircraft carrier was escorted under the bridge by fire boats, and the night time fireworks were spectacular.

Bill had a thrilling experience atop the bridge NOT! - just a backdrop for the photo.