I guess things got a little busy for a while there. When I am on the road for opera engagements, there are always other projects to work on when not rehearsing or performing. I had a couple of auditions, and worked a lot on my opera training program, Spotlight on Opera, which starts up on Sunday and will consume me 24/7 between now and the first week of August. Typically, I'd ride the bike down to the local coffeehouse, and work there for several hours; then ride for about an hour before heading home to get ready for rehearsal.
My makeup for this show was scary! My character was a mean old woman named Zita. She got progressively meaner and older and scarier as the final week of rehearsals progressed.
Take 1 --- in costume, with street makeup.
Take 2 --- a few character lines and prosthetic eyebrows.
Take 3 - many more character lines, plus a lot of stippling (using different colors and a rough sponge to create that tissue-paper-skin texture); also, misshaped lips.
Take 5 - all of the above, plus red stippling to look like rosacea; lips are even more exaggerated.
Take 5 - same makeup job as the one above, without the wimple. You can really see the stippling here. And it looks like I've had a stroke!
Tell you what, after seeing these pictures, I went out and got a facial. And redoubled my interest in sunscreen.
Ironically, my costume was very flattering, and had it not been for the GIANT hat and wimple, there would have been some impressive cleavage on display. But this was not a glamour show for me.
Here are a few of the production shots, all from the Princeton Festival's recent production of Gianni Schicchi:
The late Buoso Donati's relatives realize that if they can only find his will, they can dispel rumors that he has left everything to the friars.
The will is found ... the results are not favorable to Buoso's family.
The Donatis consult the lawyer Gianni Schicchi to see what might be done about making the will more amenable.
Whoever thinks opera is about fat people standing around bellowing at each other has another think coming. In this photo, the boys are attempting to hide the corpse of Buoso Donati in the closet when a knock comes to the door (which they're blocking with the body). I had to leap over the trunk, run to the door to see who it was, leap over the trunk again, and rush downstage to sing my line. In a floor-length dress with train, and giant hat with wimple.There is a lot of running around in this opera!
I was very happy to revert to my "normal" look after spending many days as a grumpy old lady!
We had a big break between performances, so I took the train up to New York for a couple of voice lessons and coachings, and thence to Boston, where I caught the bus to Manchester, NH to visit with a good friend for a couple of days. Said friend is having some knee trouble, so there was not much exercise going on. Instead, we drove up to the mountains and visited a couple of the grand old Victorian mountain houses, beautiful resorts where people have escaped the city heat and bustle to relax in gorgeous, bucolic environment. It was a chilly, misty day when we drove up, but beautiful nonetheless.
This was definitely my favorite --- the Mount Washington Resort, a truly glamourous and grand old lady. We enjoyed coffee and dessert just inside the veranda (it was too cold to sit outside, more's the pity).
My friend and I did not behave all that well in terms of healthy eating, so the less said about that the better. But the next day, when I headed back down to Boston, I made sure to walk as much as possible. I love Boston, especially when the weather's good, and it was a gorgeous, sunny day. So I walked all over town, following the Freedom Trail. It's a must-do when visiting this lovely city.
The Tea Party boat. (The REAL Tea Party. I don't know if the boat is the original).
Sculpture of Paul Revere, close to the Old North Church.
So, at least I got a lot of walking in.
Now, I am back in Texas, and gearing up for four weeks of Spotlight on Opera. I am the general director; I organize everything, do most of the administrative work and all of the scheduling, put out fires, haul props, wipe noses and other less desirable parts, stage direct, teach voice lessons, and give business seminars. In other words, I'm the mom. I have a few days at home to rest and gear up for all of this, and I am sorry to report that I have been an absolute slug in the workout department. Despite my July resolution to write a food plan every day, log everything on LoseIt, and do some form of exercise, I have not gotten it together, and that must change beginning today. Yes, I have been exhausted and even felt some of the old stress symptoms, but eating right and moving will only make me feel better. So, that's the goal for the day, to heave myself back on track one more time, as often as necessary. I am determined to make healthy lunches and get in a workout first thing in the morning for the duration of Spotlight, so come September I will be fit enough to start a heavier duty workout regimen again.
It's good to be home for a while and have a chance to regroup. And there is always another chance to regroup. Repeat as necessary.
Hi Marta,
The makeup was designed by Martha Ruskai, and done by the lovely Felicia (whose last name sadly I do not know). Usually professional opera houses have a professional makeup and wig artist who is hired to design and do the makeup for all the principals, so I rarely have to do my own. I *can* do my own, but nothing as fancy as this --- though I learned a lot watching Felicia do it.
Cindy
Posted by: Cindy | July 08, 2012 at 06:10 PM
That is some amazing makeup and you really know how to work it! Do you have a make up person or do you do it yourself? Certainly glad to see you restored to your pre-Zita self!
Posted by: Marta | July 08, 2012 at 04:56 PM