Category Archives: Tempo Tuesday

On Tuesdays, we’ll be featuring posts from Tempo, the Opera’s program for new and veteran opera-goers, age 21-39.

Judging 1920s Fashion, Alice Sydow

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A little bit of fun knowledge on the fashion & style in the 1920′s

The key to 1920s women’s fashion was femininity and grace, but without the curves we often see today. A slender and flat chested silhouette was the key objective for women in this era, and large busts could actually be flattened with the help of early bras that were created. Most people actually tend to think of the 1920′s style as the Flapper Look.

 

The 1920s man will be best characterized by Prohibition and the 3-piece suits that were favored by both the FBI and gangsters like Al Capone himself. Trends started during this time for men with the fedoras,  two tone brogue shoes, and bow-ties.

 

 

To read the full post from Alice Sydow of i’vegotyourstyle.com visit her website.

If you really want to impress Alice on Saturday, give her a call and she can help you pick the right dress or suit for The Rogue Song!

Alice Sydow
Image Consultant & Wardrobe Stylist
I’ve Got Your Style
612.759.3733
www.ivegotyourstyle.com
alice@ivegotyourstyle.com

For details on retail discounts, tickets and all the Rogue Song dish visit www.mnopera.org/roguesong.
*Tickets are limited for VIP and advanced sales end Friday,  March 22, 2013, 6pm.  General Admission at the door will be $40/person.

L’avenir Luxury at The Rogue Song

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luxury n. : 1. the state of great comfort and extravagant living 2. something inessential but conducive to pleasure  adj: luxurious, fancy, deluxe

Inessential, I don’t think so. In preparation for the fabulous Rogue Song event, L’avenir has been busy creating some amazing new and delicate accessories.

Jewelry is only the tip of the marquis for the local designers who take recycling to a higher level. Feather head pieces made from beat up hats from the 1950′s transform your look and authenticate it with modern vintage appeal. What was luxury then can still be luxury now, with a little revamping (after all, they don’t make it like they used to). L’avenir has a firm grasp on how to breath new life into beloved pieces from the past.See more at LAVENIRDESIGN.COM

 

AVAILABLE NOW! Lining the cases at Via’s Vintage you will find these luxury items and more! And thru March 23rd if you mention the “Rogue Song” receive 20% off your entire purchase. Subject to availability. Other restrictions may apply.

 

 

You’ll see L’avenir pieces on many ladies at The Rogue Song on March 23 at The Pourhouse.  Bergen Baker, Minnesota Opera Teaching Artist as well as featured Rouge Song performer placed a custom order with L’avenir for the event.  ”I loved working with L’avenir. I was in need of a headpiece that not only would “wow” at the Rogue Song event, but also be versatile enough to wear to other formal functions. They made the process fun while still remaining attentive to my requests and personal style. The quality and artistry in their pieces is unprecedented…tres chique!”

L’avenir is also gifting a fascinator to the “Best Dressed Dame” of the evening!  Alice Sydow, Image Consultant & Wardrobe Stylist, owner of www.ivegotyourstyle.com will be our “Style Expert & Best Dressed Judge”.

The Devil is in the Details

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When invited to a 1920’s party, many people are at a loss as to what to wear. At Via’s Vintage, we frequently put together 1920’s looks from the casual to very formal. 1920s clothing is a vintage category all its own. When you see the light as air chiffons studded with glistening glass beads, you know it was an amazing and decadent time to be alive.

While assembling your 1920s outfit, start by thinking about what you want to look like. Do you wish to be the classic fringed and feathered vamp? Or perhaps the cool and elegant lady? For inspiration, you can always check out an original 1920s film. They provide the best and most accurate representation of what people wore, and how they wore it. One thing you need to keep in mind is that the 20s was all about the complete head to toe look. Although there is something to be said for wafting about in the incredibly simple, yet insanely intricate gowns of the 1920s, it is really all about the jewelry, shoes, gloves, hair and makeup. Details, details, details!

If you do not have the disposition for wearing an authentic dress simply start with a loose fitting dress or slip. Many times, 30s, 40s or 60s dresses will do. They are still vintage and can look 20s if accessorized appropriately. For an evening event, opt for hair adornments rather than a cloche hat. You can use a scarf headband knotted on the side, and add a brooch at the center of the knot. Or take a sequined headband and add a comb or clip feathered hairpiece. You can accessorize with authentic jewelry, like a fabulous deco bracelet and earrings. They are easily worn again and are beautiful to own. For shoes, wear something with low heels and oval toes, Mary Janes work well. Don’t forget a handbag, something small with a handle. Finish off with gloves, fishnets or sheer hosiery and a cigarette holder, and your look will be complete.

Via’s Vintage is offering an exclusive discount on all of their inventory for attendees of The Rogue Song as well as a gift certificate for the best dressed dame at the event.

We also have Pintrest boards created to provide additional inspiration for our Dames and Fellas.  For details on the Via’s Vintage discount and The Rogue Song visit www.mnopera.org/roguesong.

Hats are HOT at The Rogue Song

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Hello from Goorin Bros., your local hat shop(Uptown), here to chat briefly about the basics of Prohibition style headwear.  We’re delighted to be partnering with Tempo for The Rogue Song this year and figured we’d share our knowledge to help all of you dress your 1920s best!

In 1895, Cassel Goorin sold his first hat off a horse-drawn cart in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Cassel’s sons – the Goorin Brothers – continued the tradition when they moved the family business to San Francisco in 1949. Today, Goorin Bros. is led by Cassel’s great grandson who remains dedicated to the hat business.  In other words, we know our classic hats- and luckily hats are hot again!

Fedoras, cloches, bowlers, feathered headbands are all in the mix!

There’s no way of knowing if the thanks goes to period television dramas such as Mad Men, Downtown Abbey and Boardwalk Empire, or musicians like Bruno Mars wearing throwback styles, but whatever the reason, hats are back.

Ladies, the 1920s was entirely about rebelling! During the wild ride of Prohibition, dress hemlines were shortened, along with new bobbed hairstyles to match the hat of the day: the cloche.  This famous style has a rounded top and frames the face in the classic flapper style.

Gentlemen, the end of World War I brought about a switch to less formal suits in the 1920s.  Tailcoats and top hats were abandoned in favor of pinstripes suits and bowlers or fedoras in fashionable circles.  The bowler, a rounded top hat with a shorter brim, was worn in more formal situations.  The fedora was saved for more casual circumstances and the classic 20s gangster look…

Give our website a glance for ideas, come in and visit us!

Goorin Bros is offering an exclusive discount on all of their inventory for attendees of The Rogue Song as well as a handmade hat for the best dressed fella at the event.

 

Get your tickets to The Rogue Song on March 23, 2013 at The Pourhouse in Downtown Minneapolis.  For details on the Goorin Bros discount and The Rogue Song visit www.mnopera.org/roguesong

Q&A on Orchestra Negotiations

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I’m sure that by now, most of you have heard that both Minnesota Orchestra and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra musicians are locked out. I’ve had several people approach me lately and ask how the Minnesota Opera might be affected.

I thought I might use the blog this week to get people more informed.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

Q: Will the orchestra lockouts have an impact on Minnesota Opera’s season?

A: No. Minnesota Opera engages its own ensemble, the Minnesota Opera Orchestra, for its performances, and will not be affected by work stoppages at Minnesota Orchestra or Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.

Q: What is Minnesota Opera’s relationship with its orchestra/unions?

A: Minnesota Opera has labor contracts in place with both its orchestra musicians (through the local chapter of the AFM) and with its stagehands (through IATSE), and has good relations with both. The orchestra is in the fourth year of a four-year agreement, and the stagehands are in the fourth year of a five-year agreement.

Minnesota Opera has a core orchestra that is employed on a pay-per-service basis each season, and its musicians are offered an average of 55-60 services per year.

Q: Are there Minnesota Orchestra or SPCO players in the Minnesota Opera Orchestra?

A: Although there are many musicians in the Minnesota Opera Orchestra who freelance as subs for Minnesota Orchestra and/or the SPCO, none are regular members of those ensembles. Some have spouses who are Minnesota Orchestra or SPCO musicians.

Q: Will labor strife at the SPCO make it more difficult to raise the remaining money for the Arts Partnership campaign?

A: The Arts Partnership has continued to raise funds throughout the recent public discussion of the labor issues surrounding the SPCO and its musicians, and those efforts will continue. Funders understand that the concert hall and access endowment are long-term solutions for the health and vitality of all four organizations, as well as the Saint Paul and the community at large, and that the Arts Partnership work must continue no matter what any individual organization is going through in the short term.

Q: Should the SPCO be raising money for a new hall when its own budget is not in balance?

A: The Arts Partnership is raising money to fund the solutions that address the long-term challenges of access and affordability affecting all four organizations. As a member of the Arts Partnership, the SPCO won’t ignore either challenge.

Q: If the Arts Partnership is negatively impacted by labor strife, what would that mean for Minnesota Opera?

A: Minnesota Opera and each of the other Arts Partnership organizations receive a rent subsidy, which, in case of the Opera, represents a significant amount of operational funding. If that source of revenue were not available to Minnesota Opera, the organization would need to find other revenue sources to cover the costs of its programming. Minnesota Opera expects that the SPCO’s players and management will reach a resolution to their current differences.

Q: Has Minnesota Opera ever experienced work stoppages due to labor negotiations?

A: Yes. Minnesota Opera’s orchestra was on strike from the spring of 1993 and extending into its following season, which started later due to the labor situation. The issues were resolved and Minnesota Opera enjoys a very positive relationship with its orchestra players and their union.

- Colin Dickau, Tempo Board of Directors

Visit Minnesota Opera’s blog every week for Tempo Tuesday

What Fat Lady?

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I would like to take a moment of your time to be a bit less refined and admire opera for qualities rarely discussed.

When considering the average opera singer, most in the general public think of the classic scary woman, spear in hand, wearing a horned helmet and pigtails. Hopefully these will help put that image to rest.

Enjoy! (And you’re welcome.)

Composer Kevin Puts, winner of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Silent Night

Mezzo-soprano Roxana Constantinescu

Minnesota Opera production of Cos“i fan tutte, music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Denyce Graves, Mezzo-soprano

Bass-baritone Rodolfo Nieto

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Colin Dickau, Tempo Board of Directors

Visit Minnesota Opera’s blog every week for Tempo Tuesday

Previews, Pints, and Popera

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This will be a busy month for Tempo!

If you don’t know Tempo well, October would be a great month to get to know us. The two events happening this month are so different, I feel they really show off the multiple facets of Tempo.

You’ll see what I mean. Here is what Tempo has going on this month:

Opera on Tap: Tempo Style

This event has always been a favorite of mine. If you’ve read my previous posts, you’ll know that now and then I think it’s nice to be able to go out and enjoy opera without the suit and tie. With events like Opera on Tap, you can see that Tempo gets that too. The event takes place at Honey, which, if you haven’t been there before, is kind of a sexy bar. The bar is below street level and I always feel like I’m walking into some place secretive when I’m there. Walk down the stairs and relax as opera singers sing opera favorites. Feel free to grace us all with your finest jeans and t-shirt. Enjoy your beer/cocktail, enjoy your friends, enjoy the music!

Thursday, October 18, 6pm – 9pm
Honey
205 East Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55414

Boleyn: For Love, For Conquest (Anna Bolena Preview Event)

This is another event that I’ve been looking forward to. I’ve always loved learning about the Tudors and I was excited to see that Minnesota Opera is doing Anna Bolena. I’ll admit that deep down, I’ve always had a soft spot for juicy drama and scandal, so naturally, I’ve always been drawn to the story of Anne Boleyn. This event sounds fascinating to me. Here, you’re invited to join Tempo at Kieran’s Irish Pub, where there will be a panel discussion. Once there, Tempo will show you how this juicy true story made it from the pages of history to novels, to movies, and now, to the stage of the Minnesota Opera. This is a rare opportunity to take a peak inside the lives of royalty, and a rare opportunity to see how the creative minds of the Minnesota Opera work! John Birge from Classical MPR will be moderating a panel discussion that includes Professor John Watkins from the University of Minnesota, Director Kevin Newbury, and opera stars Keri Alkema (Anne) and David Portillo (Lord Percy).

Wednesday, October 24, 6pm – 9pm
Kieran’s Irish Pub  (Titanic Room)
601 First Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55403

Hope to see you guys there!

- Colin Dickau, Tempo Board of Directors

 Visit Minnesota Opera’s blog every week for Tempo Tuesday

Minnesota Opera Votes No

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I feel anxious about casting my vote November 6th. I’m sure lots of people feel that way when considering the next American President. The vote this November, however, addresses something so personal to me that it leaves me feeling uneasy. In the past, I’ve felt removed from the many political issues that have come and gone; my family, for the most part, has never been greatly affected by any major political shifts, and this is the first time in my life that we will be voting on something so personal. It’s the strangest feeling. I think the best way to describe it, and perhaps why I feel so uneasy, is that it feels as if I’m voting on whether or not my love is valid. I wonder, if my love is not considered valid, or is somehow considered less than yours, what am I?

It’s taken me years to get here. I first told myself that was I gay when I was 9 years old, standing in my parents’ backyard. It scared the crap out of me. I spent a lot of time praying, asking what I did wrong, and wondering what I was supposed to learn from it all. To this day, the memories of those moments continue to make my heart ache and go out to all of those thousands and thousands of young gay boys and girls living these very same moments. I didn’t come out until my sophomore year of college. Nothing major happened in my life to make me come out; perhaps it was the fact that “nothing major” was happening. I became very good at hiding my feelings, and very good at pretending to be someone whom no one would suspect was gay. My sophomore year, I decided I wanted to experience life like everyone else did. I wanted to be in love with someone, and to know what it was like to feel that intertwined physical and emotional bond.

After I came out, it took me a few years to figure out exactly who I was. I still get emotional when I think about how many years I spent terrified to tell my family that I was gay, and then now, realizing the overflowing amounts of love they’ve shown me. I’ve taken one step further and found someone so amazing, I finally get what that love feels like! Our lives are great! We’ve moved in together. I spend my week trying to work my way up in the world, while he painstakingly finishes his PhD. I have an amazing set of parents, a sister and brother-in-law who have given me two nieces and a nephew who I absolutely love! I reflect upon all of this and smile, but there’s always a crack in the image. The whole world doesn’t see what I see, or what my family and friends see. I am capable of the same love as you. And my love is worth as much as your love.

I am beyond thrilled that Minnesota Opera has publicly supported the VOTE NO campaign, and from the bottom of my heart I would like to thank them! This November 6th, I will be VOTING NO, because in my mind, voting no is telling those gay boys and girls that they will grow up in a world where they feel just as valuable as any straight person, and that they deserve just as much as everyone else.  I very much hope that you will reach out to others and join me in voting no on November 6th.

- Colin Dickau, Tempo Board of Directors

 Visit Minnesota Opera’s blog every week for Tempo Tuesday 

Tempo’s Best Dressed

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Saturday, September 22, was the opening night for Minnesota Opera’s 50th anniversary season with the stunning production of Nabucco. To quote the Pioneer Press, “When a character slits someone’s throat within seconds of her initial entrance, you know you have a baddy on your hands, and Harris paints an Abigaille as explosive as the volcano erupting in one of Strassberger’s evocative backdrops.” Brenda Harris may have been a “baddy” on stage but it was beauty to our ears. Thank you to the cast, crew, and creative team of Nabucco; we could not think of a better way to kick-off a season.

With the opera season off to an explosive start, it was time to celebrate. Not only is Minnesota Opera celebrating 50 years, but Tempo is celebrating 10 years, which calls for a fabulous Opening Night party at Silver & Gold Soirée! As soon as my date and I stepped into the James J. Hill Library we were both captivated by the sights. From the decorations, champagne, the band and most of all, the guests, we knew it would be a great night! He leaned over me and said, “I’ve never seen so many well dressed people in one place!” I replied, “You’re at the opera, what do you expect?!”

My mission for the evening was to find and single out ‘the best dressed’. Sadly, this disqualified me from being a contender, but I graciously decided to give everyone else a chance and find those starlets and dashing men adorning the evening.

Tempo’s Best Dressed

Meg Waterman © 2012 ClarePix Photography

Meg Waterman time warped from the 1920s in her grandmother’s vintage dress. Not only was she head-to-toe glamorous, her graceful presence and confidence made her outfit shine even more than the sparkles on her dress! Best of all? Her smile!

Tom Theoblad © 2012 ClarePix Photography

Spotted by several ladies from across the room was Tom Theoblad or as I like to call him the “James Bond” of the Soirée. He made the standard tux look daring and dashing.

Kevin Beckey © 2012 ClarePix Photography

Jenna Wolf & Kelly Kuczkowski © 2012 T.Murray

To choose only one lady and gent was way too hard, so I decided to give a couple shout-outs. Honorable mentions include Kevin Beckey, Jenna Wolf and Kelly Kuczkowski. If you know anything about our Development Ladies, you know they always show up dressed to impress.

Ben Jones & Carrie Walker © 2012 ClarePix Photography

Finally, I can’t resist mentioning our current Tempo Board Chair, Ben Jones (him and I pictured to the right). Ben is always well dressed and deserves credit for setting the standard. Thanks Ben!

-Tempo Board Member, Carrie Walker

 

Beyond Doubt

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I had an interesting conversation with a friend a few days ago. We were discussing Minnesota Opera’s upcoming world premiere of Doubt. We were both excited about the future run because, in our minds, the opera addresses something relevant and deeply personal to many. Suddenly I wished there were more operas that touched on current events.

With a combination of music and theater, opera has this amazing ability to tap into carnal values, forcing us to recognize them–unrequited love, for instance, and the desire to possess. I am happy and proud to say that I have experienced how opera can make one internalize complex human relationships. Performances like The Grapes of Wrath, Silent Night, and even Madame Butterfly left me with a new perspective on culture, interpersonal relationships, and myself. As much as I love opera’s ability to do this, I sometimes wonder if the year in which the opera was published, or the era in which the opera takes place, can occasionally create sizable distance between the audience and the performance happening on stage.

I think it would be amazing to see how opera addresses current affairs. Watching how the opera approaches topics such as Wall Street, gay marriage, abortion, or the Bush Administration would fascinate me. I imagine an already heated and complex issue, complimented by the richness of opera, and find myself hungry to know the result. I love the vast display of beauty from various eras, and by no means do I intend to criticize a masterpiece. Seeing the richness and depth that opera adds to any classic story or moment in history, I am simply eager to see what it might bring the the dramas of our own time.

- Tempo Board Member Colin Dickau

Visit Minnesota Opera’s blog every week for Tempo Tuesday