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the Class of 2010
will take the Backstage Tour at Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Enjoy these pictures from last year.
Lyric Opera Seating Chart |
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The inside of the building is decorated in Art Deco style.
Our groups visited almost every part of Lyric Opera. |
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We looked into the Orchestra Pit, and found out that the conductor is always on camera. The picture is broadcast to monitors (see below) so that the performers can always see the beat. |
The monitor shows the girls looking into the orchestra pit, as the camera is always on the conductor.
Then it was time for a walk down
"Peacock Alley."
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We could look onto the stage, but no one can go onto the set. We could see the stage manager's station and other equipment. |
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| This is the infamous catwalk, which turned out to be very safe, even though it is 6 stories above the stage. The ropes on the left control the flies: backdrops and other scenery. The fly space is 12 stories tall altogether. |
This is a look at the fly space where backdrops hang out of sight. Far below is the stage floor! |
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The interior of the theater is lavishly decorated in gold.
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This jeweled chalice was made of foil and plastic gems. |
The prop area was amazing! Everything looks very real from far away, but is really made of inexpensive everyday items. The rock is made of foam! Some props are oversized, like paper money.
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This is the older of two 'wind machines' that make the sounds of storms when needed in an opera. |
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The weapons room holds guns, knives and pikes for operas of any era. Every weapon must be authentic to the time period. |
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A suit of armor, helmets and crowns were displayed in a dressing room. |
Every wig is hand made, taking over 40 hours to complete. Once the hairs are tied to the netting, the hair is styled to suit the opera. These are sideburns for men, made of Yak hair. |
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Some dresses in the costume area, and in the wardrobe closet. |
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We visited two costume areas. One was an enormous closet, with dozens of costumes hung from floor to ceiling. The other room held costumes that were currently in use.
This dress was from Mozart's The Magic Flute. |
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This is a private dressing room for one of the stars of the opera. There is a private bathroom, huge closets for the elaborate costumes, a piano, the make-up area and a cozy chair. Outside there is a lounge for the "dressers," who assist with getting into the costumes. |
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Below the stage is the lounge
for orchestra members. |
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We also tried on costumes and weapons-- as you can see, it is the favorite part of the Tour (even some chaperones 'dressed up.') Each item had actually been used in an opera.
Students, please send in pictures!
We thank the tour docents for providing this opportunity to experience the backstage world of the Lyric. It takes many technicians, stagehands and other skilled craftsmen and women to bring an opera to life.
Want to see more costumes and sets for The Barber of Seville? Look at this page at Lyric Opera's site.
Lyric Opera Main Page
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In preparation, classes worked with a graphic organizer-- over 70 cards with names of characters and descriptions.
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Props and Set Designs
Our final assignment was to make a set design, construct a set or construct a prop. Some of our props would rival those at Lyric Opera! This inkwell and plumed quill were entirely made from household items.
Read project descriptions by the students:
Inkwell & Quill #1 (PDF)
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Above, a 3-dimentional re-creation of Figaro's barber shop.(PDF)
At left, a 2-dimentional set design (PDF)
for the salon at Doctor Bartolo's home.
Compare to the actual sets at Lyric Opera! |
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The Giant Comb (above, PDF) |
Inkwell & Quill #2 (above) |
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A lantern, suitable for use in the Act I serenade of Rosina. |
A homemade drawstring bag and gold coins (PDF) for Count Almaviva. |
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