Victorian ballgowns, Italian soldiers’ uniforms and fantasy creations are all on the racks as one of San Francisco Opera’s most beloved traditions returns in time for Halloween.
The Opera plans to host its first in-person costume sale in more than a decade on Oct. 16-18, at its Burlingame Scene Shop. The three-day event is highly anticipated among the costume community, giving fans, performers and lovers of historic dress a chance to bring home pieces that graced the War Memorial Opera House stage.
Tickets for the event, which will allow for two hours of shopping, become available starting at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 1. Admission is $5 to $25, depending on the day and time of entry.
Costumes from “Giulio Cesare” and “Iphigenie en Tauride” from the San Francisco Opera will be on sale Oct. 16.-17. (San Francisco Opera)
The first date of the costume sale will be a by-invitation-only pre-sale and reception for board members and donors of the Intermezzo Silver level ($15,000) and up.
“Un Ballo in Maschera” costumes by John Conklin will be for sale later this month during the company’s first in-person in more than a decade. (Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera)
It will then open to the ticket-buying public on Oct. 17 and 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. each day.
Among the operas represented in the sale are “Luisa Miller,” “Un Ballo in Maschera,” “Idomeneo,” “Fidelio” and “Don Giovanni.” Prices for items range from $5 to $525, with costumes representing periods from ancient Egypt and the Renaissance to the American West and the flapper era of the 1920s.
Featured designers include Thierry Bosquet, Carrie Robbins, Pet Halmen, Michael Stennett and Dunya Ramicova. Legendary Hollywood designer Bob Mackie and artist David Hockney, both of whom died earlier this year, will also have costumes in the sale. Shoppers can purchase both individual pieces or entire ensembles.
Many of the costumes on sale were worn by opera royalty, fromRenée Fleming and Joyce DiDonato to Leontyne Price, Joan Sutherland and Bay Area diva Frederica von Stade.
Costumes from “Don Giovanni” and “Un Ballo in Maschera” for sale at the San Francisco Opera Costume Sale Oct. 16-18. (San Francisco Opera)
Stage props and other opera merchandise will also be available for purchase.
More Information
San Francisco Opera Costume Sale: General sale runs from 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Oct. 17-18. $5-$25. San Francisco Opera Scene Shop, 826 Burlway Road, Burlingame. sfopera.com/costume-sale
Proceeds from the sale supports the San Francisco Opera while continuing a long tradition of purging items from old productions to make room for future shows.
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This article originally published at San Francisco Opera revives in-person costume sale in time for Halloween.