Image
War Memorial, Opera House

Front entry to the Opera House on Van Ness
(1 of 29) (13139 views)

./SFOperaHouse20091024_01_123556_0040BCX.jpg

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
Add a comment or report a mistake

Side entry for limo and taxi drop-off
(2 of 29) (9930 views)

./SFOperaHouse20091024_02_123604_0041BCX.jpg

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
Add a comment or report a mistake

Awnings over the north side entry doors
(3 of 29) (9938 views)

./SFOperaHouse20091024_03_123456_0038BCX.jpg

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
Add a comment or report a mistake

Tours began on the south side (Grove Street)
(4 of 29) (9822 views)

./SFOperaHouse20091024_04_105348_8866BCX.jpg

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
Add a comment or report a mistake

Just inside the south side entry
(5 of 29) (9823 views)

./SFOperaHouse20091024_05_105404_9987BCX.jpg

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
Add a comment or report a mistake

A tapestry found just inside the south side
(6 of 29) (9892 views)

./SFOperaHouse20091024_06_105438_9989BCX.jpg

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
Add a comment or report a mistake

Stairway led up to the balcony boxes
(7 of 29) (9879 views)

./SFOperaHouse20091024_07_105524_9990BCX.jpg

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
Add a comment or report a mistake

The main entry hall on the Van Ness side
(8 of 29) (9799 views)

./SFOperaHouse20091024_08_105536_9991BCX.jpg

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
Add a comment or report a mistake

Many plaques and statues describe the history
(9 of 29) (9807 views)

./SFOperaHouse20091024_10_110024_9994BCX.jpg

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
Add a comment or report a mistake

Entry way to the 2nd level balcony booths
(10 of 29) (9783 views)

./SFOperaHouse20091024_11_111102_0003BCX.jpg

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
Add a comment or report a mistake

The balconies as viewed from the main floor
(11 of 29) (9784 views)

./SFOperaHouse20091024_12_112232_0004BCX.jpg

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
Add a comment or report a mistake

Main floor seating
(12 of 29) (9986 views)

./SFOperaHouse20091024_13_112504_0006BCX.jpg
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
Add a comment or report a mistake

Each dressing room included makeup supplies
(13 of 29) (9828 views)

./SFOperaHouse20091024_14_112948_0008BCX.jpg

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
Add a comment or report a mistake

A hanging bar where costumes would hang
(14 of 29) (9773 views)

./SFOperaHouse20091024_15_114356_0009BCX.jpg

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
Add a comment or report a mistake

Typical of the many backstage corridors
(15 of 29) (9792 views)

./SFOperaHouse20091024_16_113312_0011BCX.jpg

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
Add a comment or report a mistake

Sign hung in the below-stage costume area
(16 of 29) (9778 views)

./SFOperaHouse20091024_17_113430_0013BCX.jpg

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
Add a comment or report a mistake

Part of the orchestra pit
(17 of 29) (9852 views)

./SFOperaHouse20091024_18_114220_0014BCX.jpg
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
Add a comment or report a mistake

Extra orchestra pit music stands stored below stage
(18 of 29) (9835 views)

./SFOperaHouse20091024_19_114308_0016BCX.jpg

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
Add a comment or report a mistake

Costumes protected by a cotton tarp stored below stage
(19 of 29) (9775 views)

./SFOperaHouse20091024_20_114328_0017BCX.jpg

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
Add a comment or report a mistake

In opera, tormenters are called legs
(20 of 29) (9885 views)

./SFOperaHouse20091024_21_114356_0019BCX.jpg

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
Add a comment or report a mistake

Below stage storage was orderly and well labeled
(21 of 29) (9836 views)

./SFOperaHouse20091024_22_114544_0020BCX.jpg

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
Add a comment or report a mistake

The wig room
(22 of 29) (10589 views)

./SFOperaHouse20091024_23_114938_0022BCX.jpg
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
Add a comment or report a mistake

Detail of wig construction
(23 of 29) (9849 views)

./SFOperaHouse20091024_24_115038_0024BCX.jpg

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
Add a comment or report a mistake

The mustache board in the wig room
(24 of 29) (10761 views)

./SFOperaHouse20091024_25_115216_0025BCX.jpg
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
Add a comment or report a mistake

Labels on a locker door
(25 of 29) (9852 views)

./SFOperaHouse20091024_26_120338_0027BCX.jpg

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
Add a comment or report a mistake

Photos bedecked the refrigerator in the break room
(26 of 29) (9800 views)

./SFOperaHouse20091024_27_120712_0030BCX.jpg

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
Add a comment or report a mistake

Joke sign by water cooler and pay phone
(27 of 29) (9889 views)

./SFOperaHouse20091024_28_123210_0031BCX.jpg

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
Add a comment or report a mistake

A bum's rush out the North Stage Door
(28 of 29) (10112 views)

./SFOperaHouse20091024_28_123320_0034BCX.jpg

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
Add a comment or report a mistake

And the tour ended on the building's north side
(29 of 29) (9841 views)

./SFOperaHouse20091024_29_123302_0032BCX.jpg

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
Add a comment or report a mistake
Subscribe to our mailing list for a Sunday summary of the week's stories.
* indicates required
Email Format
home • contact • topic guide • top 25 • photos • video • writing • blogs • upload • terms • privacy