Monday, November 13, 2017

San Francisco Opera: Fall Season Continues to Delight — A New Production of ‘Manon’ by Massenet

Soprano Ellie Dehn and handsome tenor Michael Fabiano, make their role debuts as Manon and Chevalier des Grieux.

I attended ‘Manon’ on Friday night. The curtain rose at 7.30pm, and there were two long intermissions and a series of complex stage set changes. The vivid story, with complex motivations and emotions played out, is dramatically illustrated and performed. It’s engrossing and engaging.

The curtain fell at almost 11pm, and the audience rose in applause and countless bows, bouquets, and curtain theatrics. A wonderfully entertaining evening.



Opera stars Michael Fabiano and Ellie Dehn make a strong impression in complex and dramatic roles.






San Francisco Opera Presents a New Production of Massenet's ‘Manon’ through November 22

‘Manon’, which took place in Paris (fictionally) in the early 18th-century, and is presented in a new production by French director Vincent Boussard, is a co-production with Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre and the Israeli Opera.

Boussard designed the costumes, which are witty and frisky and bold, with élan and verve.

I was especially impressed with creative lighting by Gary Marder, and set designer Vincent Lemaire’s use of a reflective effect that felt like a surreal commentary on the opera’s action and motivation.

French conductor and Massenet-specialist Patrick Fournillier lead the San Francisco Opera Orchestra. 










About ‘Manon’

Massenet’s romantic opera follows the ascent and fate of a beautiful young woman, her lover, his father, and her retinue of followers. It's set in timeless Paris, in locations like rue Vivienne and the Church of Saint-Sulpice and the Cours-la-Reine, which can be visited today.

Vincent Boussard’s theatrical interpretation of ‘Manon’, and the costumes, were proclaimed “a collaborative work of brilliance” by The Baltic Times at its 2016 Lithuanian premiere.

The production features sets designed by frequent Boussard collaborator Vincent Lemaire.







Boussard noted: 
“As a director, I try to create bridges between periods of time to make the story seem more immediate. I am led by the quality of the music and the singing. We’re trying to build bridges between the time of the story (the beginning of the 18th century) and the time of Massenet (1884) and today. I’m trying to give the character of Manon a chance to be imagined and received by the audience as if she could also be a lady of today.”

American tenor Michael Fabiano, who was recently praised by the New York Times for his “sensitive, vibrant lyric tenor,” adds the role of Chevalier des Grieux to his expanding repertory. Known for his portrayals of Italian roles such as Rodolfo in Puccini’s ‘La Bohème’ (memorable on the San Francisco Opera stage) and the title role of Verdi’s Don Carlo, Des Grieux will be his first French role with San Francisco Opera

Ellie Dehn last appeared before San Francisco Opera audiences last summer as Musetta in Puccini’s ‘La Bohème’. 







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The San Francisco Opera 2017 repertory season continues through December 10.

Still to come, the debut of John Adams’ new opera, Girls of the Golden West on November 21. 

In repertory, Turandot, a thrilling highlight of this year’s productions, brings the season to a close on Sunday, December 10.


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CREDITS:


Photography: 
Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

San Francisco Opera Presents New Production of Massenet's ‘Manon’, through November 22, 2017.  Information, tickets and schedule: sfopera.com

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

California Retro: Will Wick and Jen Kelly Wick Add Style and Verve to Their Sausalito Residence

Two design dynamos create a knowing retro glance at sixties and seventies California style directions and San Francisco’s laid-back luxe.



Jen Kelly Wick and Will Wick rented a spectacular California retro house high above Sausalito.

Jen is the VP of Creative Development at RH and has worked there for seven years. Her small team works on everything creative within the company.

Will is a leading interior designer based in San Francisco, with work all over the US.




The three bedroom house was said to have been built in the early 70s by an Italian ship builder. Clear redwood, terracotta tiles, boat fittings.

The top level is a large beautiful roof terrace with fireplaces in both the living room and master suite. Additionally, there is an elevator from rooftop to the master suite.




About Will Wick

I spoke to Will recently about changes in his business:

Will told me:  “Our team recently looked inward and refreshed our brand design presence. We also transitioned from Wick Design to Will Wick to encompass a greater variety of work. The result is a fresher, more modern take and better reflects where we are as a design house today. Our offices are in the SF Design Center in The Mission, located in the same place as Battersea, my antiques showroom that’s named after a centuries old, now defunct power plant in South London.

Will Wick and Battersea operate independently of each other, and they are deeply intertwined, as I often use what is on the showroom floor of Battersea in my designs.

Battersea is a visual chronicle and repository for all my travel finds. I buy what speaks to me – from 18th century lighting, to French Art Deco club chairs, to saber tooth tiger skulls. I founded the design portion of my company in 2000, and Battersea opened in 2008. Between the two, we’re a team of eight.”



Design Credits — List of All Major Furniture


LIVING ROOM :

Custom shearling and silk velvet sofas designed by Will and Jen (silk velvet B Mori, shearling Auskin)
Floor Lamp — Restoration Hardware 

Carl Springer Parchment Side Table

Sergio Rodrigues Sherriff Chair — Battersea

Hanging Table — Coup d’Etat

Petrified tree stumps — Artefact Design and Salvage

Carved hand chair — Battersea
Collection of skulls amassed over the past 8-10 years

Black painting contemporary — RHCA



DINING ROOM:

Saarinen Tulip Table

Bega Dining Chairs with Scalamandre Tiger Silk

Vintage Bar





Will and Jen’s Approach to Design

“We rented the house empty. It felt like a vintage 70s Italian cruise liner, so we wanted to keep that feel and add some sex appeal. The topless fire dancer we hired for a party for newly engaged friends was very fitting. 

We decided to embrace the architectural era of the house and run with it. Think 70s party pad. We heard stories of the current owner’s dad who had the house built — huge parties, naked hot tub parties on the roof, etc. Most of our art went into storage because we didn’t want to cover the stunning clear redwood walls.”




Living the Dream

Will told me:  “It took us a full year to get it all in place. Just in time for us to decide to move out. It was spectacular. We had insane views, across Angel Island, the city, the bay, the hillsides, open sky, sunrise, moonrise, rain, storms, bright sun, and unbelievable vibe. It was less than perfect for the 4 kids who had much less privacy in this house. We had more open spaces and we sort of stashed them in nooks.

The house lies on one of the best blocks in Sausalito’s Banana Belt, on the southern end of town. From most rooms in the house the views span from Tiburon all the way to San Francisco. Directly in front, Angel Island, and from the roof deck you can see the tops of the Golden Gate Bridge spires to Mt. Tamalpais.”




California Living

Jen has the final word:  “We lived on the roof deck all weekend and lit fires most every night in the living room while listening to music. 

It was very peaceful, calming and quiet. It was so relaxing it felt like being on holiday every single day.

We were never able to find the name of the architect. There was clear heart redwood everywhere and oak accents. And glass — tons of floor-to-ceiling glass on every level of the house.

This place was like a little rebellious, sexy hideaway. Made you feel somewhat naughty.”






CREDITS:

The design and décor was created by Will Wick and Jen Kelly Wick.

Will Wick
wickdesign.com and willwick.com

Jennifer Kelly Wick is VP Creative Development, RH.


PHOTOGRAPHY:

Patrik Argast