Jeopardy! Goes To The Metropolitan Opera For Costumes Category

Playing Henry VIII in the costume department for a behind-the-scenes video of Alex Trebek for Jeopardy!.

Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek dressed as Méphistophélès in the MET costume department.

Contestants looked stunned trying to answer opera costume questions on Jeopardy!

Behind The Scenes Of The Metropolitan Opera Costume Department

Los Angeles Opera Costume Sale Reaps Thousands Of Visitors

A potential buyer transforms into a soldier from
La Fille du Régiment or perhaps Carmen.
(Photo: Gary Leonard)

"The line started forming outside of the parking lot at 330 S. Alameda St. around 8 a.m., some two-and-a-half hours before the gates opened. By the time L.A. Opera’s one-day costume shop sale closed on Saturday, March 28, more than 4,000 people had perused the wares. Approximately 1,000 costumes from productions such as The Barber of Seville, The Birds and Salome were on the racks, and crowds scooped up everything from accessories to dresses to 'diva' costumes worn by leads such as tenor Plácido Domingo. About 750 pieces were purchased, and the items left over will be sold at discounted rates to schools around the county (anything remaining after that will be donated to charity). The sale comes as the costume shop leaves its 14-year home for a space on 14th Street in the Industrial District, thanks to rising rents in the searing-hot Arts District, according to Senior Director of Production Rupert Hemmings." [Source]

Maria Callas Inspires Renée Fleming Broadway Costumes By Krass

Click on the image to enlarge and see if you can
count all the images of Maria Callas.

Renée Fleming has begun rehearsals for her Broadway debut in the play Living on Love which begins previews on April 1 and opens April 20 at the Longacre Theatre in New York. "Living on Love tells the story of celebrated diva Raquel DeAngelis. When her husband, the fiery and egomaniacal Maestro Vito DeAngelis, becomes enamored with the lovely young lady hired to ghostwrite his long-delayed autobiography, Rachel retaliates by hiring her very own—and very handsome—ghostwriter to chronicle her life as an opera star. Sparks fly, silverware is thrown, and romance blossoms." Recently the production shared a photo on Instagram that shows the costume designs for Renée Fleming's character of Raquel. The designer, Michael Krass, has several images of Maria Callas (and even Lily Pons!) that serve as inspiration for the play's diva. [Source] Watch a new commercial for the play, as well as more production photos, after the jump.

Christian Lacroix Talks 80s Influence For "Mahagonny" In Berlin

"Stars wie Jennifer Aniston, Dita von Teese, Naomi Watts und Julianne Moore lieben die Kreationen von Christian Lacroix (63). Jetzt hat der französische Stardesigner die Kostüme für die Premiere von Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny am Freitag um 19.30 Uhr in der Staatsoper entworfen. B.Z.-Redakteurin Claudia von Duehren traf den Designer in der Kostümabteilung des Schiller-Theaters."

Welche Message haben Ihre Entwürfe? Sehen wir Goldgräber der 30er Jahre? 
Wir orientieren uns an der Gegenwart. Die Männer tragen Streetwear. Entscheidender Teil ihrer Kostüme ist das Licht. Die Mädchen erinnern an Rock-Girls der 80er. Ihre Outfits sind crazy Couture, mit großen Frisuren und High Heels. Wir haben Vintage-Klamotten der 80er gekauft und umgeschneidert. Außerdem waren wir in Brautmodengeschäften. [Source] 

Read the full interview here and learn more about the costumes here. Visit the Staatsoper Berlin website for ticket information. Watch a promotional trailer for the production, after the jump.

Designing Opera Costumes In The Digital Age Of High-Definition

Lisette Oropesa, who sings the role of Nanetta, fits herself in riding boots. (Photo: Todd Heisler/The New York Times)

The New York Times visits the Metropolitan Opera costume department to expose all the difficulties in recreating period costumes that can sustain the scrutiny of a high-definition camera. Taking a peak at the latest cast and costumes from Robert Carsen's new production of Verdi's Falstaff, the newspaper features a wonderful gallery of photos along with the story. "High-definition cameras are only the latest challenge for members of the Met’s costume department. As it is, their work requires a combination of finely honed technical skills, a historian’s understanding of period costumes, and personalized attention to opera singers, their performance style and body hang-ups. At the same time, Met costumes have to be much more durable than regular clothes. Unlike couture fashion, these garments must last for many seasons — sometimes decades — and withstand rapid costume changes between scenes. In the past, that might have meant sturdier zippers and thicker hooks, but with cameras trained even on the backs of singers, the Met’s designers, drapers and seamstresses have had to become craftier." [Source]