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War Memorial, Opera House

The wig room
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Angela Beske Sunday 25 October 2007

These wigs and moustaches belong to Donizetti's Opera "Daughter of the Regiment" to be performed the next afternoon.

War Memorial Opera House   •  301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 25 October 2009)   •  (Photo taken 11:49:38 Saturday 24 October 2009)   •  © 2009 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #114938_0022BCX
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Side entry for limo and taxi drop-off
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Side entry for limo and taxi drop-off

War Memorial Opera House   •  301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 25 October 2009)   •  (Photo taken 12:36:04 Saturday 24 October 2009)   •  © 2009 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #123604_0041BCX
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Awnings over the north side entry doors
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Awnings over the north side entry doors

War Memorial Opera House   •  301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 25 October 2009)   •  (Photo taken 12:34:56 Saturday 24 October 2009)   •  © 2009 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #123456_0038BCX
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Tours began on the south side (Grove Street)
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Tours began on the south side (Grove Street)

Sign read: "Opera House Backstage Tours   •  Please Wait"   •  War Memorial Opera House   •  301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 25 October 2009)   •  (Photo taken 10:53:48 Saturday 24 October 2009)   •  © 2009 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #105348_8866BCX
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Just inside the south side entry
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Just inside the south side entry

Note green room just to left of the stairs   •  War Memorial Opera House   •  301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 25 October 2009)   •  (Photo taken 10:54:04 Saturday 24 October 2009)   •  © 2009 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #105404_9987BCX
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A tapestry found just inside the south side
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A tapestry found just inside the south side

War Memorial Opera House   •  301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 25 October 2009)   •  (Photo taken 10:54:38 Saturday 24 October 2009)   •  © 2009 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #105438_9989BCX
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Stairway led up to the balcony boxes
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Stairway led up to the balcony boxes

Note stairway down to right for restrooms and bar   •  War Memorial Opera House   •  301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 25 October 2009)   •  (Photo taken 10:55:24 Saturday 24 October 2009)   •  © 2009 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #105524_9990BCX
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The main entry hall on the Van Ness side
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The main entry hall on the Van Ness side

War Memorial Opera House   •  301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 25 October 2009)   •  (Photo taken 10:55:36 Saturday 24 October 2009)   •  © 2009 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #105536_9991BCX
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Many plaques and statues describe the history
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Many plaques and statues describe the history

Plaque read in part: "This Plaque Commemorates the   •  Founders of the San Francisco Opera, Who shared   •  in Gaetano Merola's Dream of Establishing a   •  Permanent Opera Company in San Francisco...."   •  War Memorial Opera House   •  301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 25 October 2009)   •  (Photo taken 11:00:24 Saturday 24 October 2009)   •  © 2009 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #110024_9994BCX
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Entry way to the 2nd level balcony booths
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Entry way to the 2nd level balcony booths

Note access is through doors on the left   •  War Memorial Opera House   •  301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 25 October 2009)   •  (Photo taken 11:11:02 Saturday 24 October 2009)   •  © 2009 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #111102_0003BCX
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The balconies as viewed from the main floor
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The balconies as viewed from the main floor

War Memorial Opera House   •  301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 25 October 2009)   •  (Photo taken 11:22:32 Saturday 24 October 2009)   •  © 2009 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #112232_0004BCX
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Main floor seating
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Bryan Costales, Sunday 25 October 2009

Note that we were forbidden to photograph the stage because of bogus intellectual property concerns. I tried to sneak a shot but that shot smeared because of low light and a shaky hand.

War Memorial Opera House   •  301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 25 October 2009)   •  (Photo taken 11:25:04 Saturday 24 October 2009)   •  © 2009 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #112504_0006BCX
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Each dressing room included makeup supplies
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Each dressing room included makeup supplies

War Memorial Opera House   •  301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 25 October 2009)   •  (Photo taken 11:29:48 Saturday 24 October 2009)   •  © 2009 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #112948_0008BCX
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A hanging bar where costumes would hang
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A hanging bar where costumes would hang

War Memorial Opera House   •  301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 25 October 2009)   •  (Photo taken 11:43:56 Saturday 24 October 2009)   •  © 2009 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #114356_0009BCX
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Typical of the many backstage corridors
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Typical of the many backstage corridors

War Memorial Opera House   •  301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 25 October 2009)   •  (Photo taken 11:33:12 Saturday 24 October 2009)   •  © 2009 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #113312_0011BCX
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Sign hung in the below-stage costume area
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Sign hung in the below-stage costume area

Sign read: "This is not a crossover!!"   •  Changed to: This is a cross dresser!!"   •  War Memorial Opera House   •  301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 25 October 2009)   •  (Photo taken 11:34:30 Saturday 24 October 2009)   •  © 2009 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #113430_0013BCX
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Part of the orchestra pit
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Terry Costales Sunday 25 October 2009

My favorite is the empty music stands, great photo

War Memorial Opera House   •  301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 25 October 2009)   •  (Photo taken 11:42:20 Saturday 24 October 2009)   •  © 2009 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #114220_0014BCX
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Extra orchestra pit music stands stored below stage
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Extra orchestra pit music stands stored below stage

War Memorial Opera House   •  301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 25 October 2009)   •  (Photo taken 11:43:08 Saturday 24 October 2009)   •  © 2009 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #114308_0016BCX
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Costumes protected by a cotton tarp stored below stage
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Costumes protected by a cotton tarp stored below stage

War Memorial Opera House   •  301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 25 October 2009)   •  (Photo taken 11:43:28 Saturday 24 October 2009)   •  © 2009 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #114328_0017BCX
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In opera, tormenters are called legs
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In opera, tormenters are called legs

external link War Memorial Opera House   •  301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 25 October 2009)   •  (Photo taken 11:43:56 Saturday 24 October 2009)   •  © 2009 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #114356_0019BCX
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Below stage storage was orderly and well labeled
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Below stage storage was orderly and well labeled

War Memorial Opera House   •  301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 25 October 2009)   •  (Photo taken 11:45:44 Saturday 24 October 2009)   •  © 2009 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #114544_0020BCX
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Front entry to the Opera House on Van Ness
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Front entry to the Opera House on Van Ness

War Memorial Opera House   •  301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 25 October 2009)   •  (Photo taken 12:35:56 Saturday 24 October 2009)   •  © 2009 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #123556_0040BCX
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Detail of wig construction
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Detail of wig construction

War Memorial Opera House   •  301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 25 October 2009)   •  (Photo taken 11:50:38 Saturday 24 October 2009)   •  © 2009 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #115038_0024BCX
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The mustache board in the wig room
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Angela Beske Sunday 25 October 2009

Just imagine: one of these moustaches will be worn by Juan Diego Florez external link in "Daughter of the Regiment" the next afternoon!!

War Memorial Opera House   •  301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 25 October 2009)   •  (Photo taken 11:52:16 Saturday 24 October 2009)   •  © 2009 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #115216_0025BCX
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Labels on a locker door
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Labels on a locker door

Labels read: "Hair Station Setups, Powder Puffs   •  M-U Sponges, Topstick, Lashes, Sm. Empty Bottles,   •  New rat tail brushes, Prep Towels"   •  War Memorial Opera House   •  301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 25 October 2009)   •  (Photo taken 12:03:38 Saturday 24 October 2009)   •  © 2009 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #120338_0027BCX
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Photos bedecked the refrigerator in the break room
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Photos bedecked the refrigerator in the break room

War Memorial Opera House   •  301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 25 October 2009)   •  (Photo taken 12:07:12 Saturday 24 October 2009)   •  © 2009 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #120712_0030BCX
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Joke sign by water cooler and pay phone
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Joke sign by water cooler and pay phone

Sign read: "Second Tenor Lounge"   •  War Memorial Opera House   •  301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 25 October 2009)   •  (Photo taken 12:32:10 Saturday 24 October 2009)   •  © 2009 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #123210_0031BCX
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A bum's rush out the North Stage Door
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A bum's rush out the North Stage Door

Sign read in part: "Notice... No Smoking...."   •  War Memorial Opera House   •  301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 25 October 2009)   •  (Photo taken 12:33:20 Saturday 24 October 2009)   •  © 2009 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #123320_0034BCX
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And the tour ended on the building's north side
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And the tour ended on the building's north side

War Memorial Opera House   •  301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 25 October 2009)   •  (Photo taken 12:33:02 Saturday 24 October 2009)   •  © 2009 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #123302_0032BCX
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