North Stage Door-Episode 4

North Stage Door

Prompters: Ever wonder what was going on behind that wooden hood at the edge of the stage? That little box is the domain of the prompter, a musician who does much more than help performers remember their lines. Conductor and pianist Robert Mollicone demystifies the art of opera prompting and describes the responsibilities that go with sitting in the best seat in the house (producer: Jody Gage).

Opera on the Road: San Francisco Opera has a distinguished history of touring outside of the Bay Area, moving personnel and productions from city to city by plane, train, bus and even dog sled. Mezzo-soprano Dolora Zajick, a tour veteran from her days as a young artist with the San Francisco Opera Center, adds her perspective to this chronicle about taking the show on the road (producers: Jeffery McMillan and Barbara Rominski).

Supernumeraries: The dictionary defines the word ‘supernumerary’ as a person or thing in excess of the normal or requisite number. In opera, though, supernumeraries are entirely necessary. Former San Francisco Opera Rehearsal and Facilities Manager Trey Costerisan relates how the Company casts supers and where he found stilt-walking jugglers when a production required them. Testimonials on the lure of the stage are offered by San Francisco Opera supers Helen Lew and Karsten Guthridge (producer: Katherine Baltrush).

My First Opera: What was your first opera? That is the question that San Francisco Opera Music Librarian Michael Bragg asks his North Stage Door and Company colleagues. Whether it was La Bohème, Das Rheingold or The Rake’s Progress, the responses reveal how first encounters with opera inspired awe, curiosity, love and, eventually, careers in the field (producer: Michael Bragg).