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| Copy created to accompany a packet of artists cards, prepared for an artist's opening reception in June, 2008: |
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Hall Holds Audience Spellbound
By Cynthia S. Wildridge
World-renowned
costume and set designer Mr. Peter J. Hall held a roomful of guests in
rapt suspense this past Sunday afternoon, enchanting us all with his
delightful conversation with Mr. John Gage, The Dallas Opera’s Director
of Production, at Park Towers Condominiums at Turtle Creek in Dallas.
The
warm exchange between these two gentlemen who have devoted years of
talent and passion to The Dallas Opera was inspiring in its depth of
experience, range of accomplishments, and intimate anecdotes
accumulated in more than 40 years of design and production.
Surrounded
by several of his costumes and art ranging from 1963 through 2006, Mr.
Hall was prompted to share insights and anecdotes about the artists,
the triumphs, and the last-minute operatic dramas during his career
with The Dallas Opera.
On display were costumes from Les
contes d’Hoffmann (1975), Rigoletto (1977), Hänsel und Gretel (1990),
and Ariadne auf Naxos (2006). Artwork included costume designs for
L’incoronazione di Poppea (1963), Aida (1969), and Rodelinda (2006),
along with set designs for Anna Bolena (1968) and Andrea Chénier (1973).
Mr.
Hall spoke of his early years growing up in Bristol, England, of his
inspirations and early design work, and of how he first met Dallas
Civic Opera founders Larry Kelly and Nicola Rescigno in London’s Covent
Garden via a performance of Medea, with Maria Callas, nearly 5 decades
ago.
He shared several witty and delightful stories, such as
having been asked to create a gown for Kiri Te Kanawa’s farewell
concert at the Metropolitan Opera, and of her single, simple request:
“All I ask is that when I walk on stage, everyone says ‘WOW.’ Now,
what can you do for me?” He even made a special trip back to Europe to
ensure that she could eat during the holidays, yet have her gown fit
beautifully! Mr. Hall spoke of Elizabeth Taylor and of her generous
token of appreciation for his work; of how Richard Burton’s cat, a main
character in the movie Doctor Faustus, despised the acclaimed actor;
and of his collaboration with rock star David Bowie, whom he described
as “a nice man, a very serious musician.” Bowie, in turn, called Mr.
Hall’s designs for his tour “absolutely brilliant.”
Mr. Hall
discussed his experiences designing for specific performers, designing
for different period settings of the same opera, and identified some of
the particular constraints one faces when creating costumes for
singers. He spoke of the continual challenge of creating costumes and
accessories on an extremely tight budget. His entire allowance for the
2008 production of Salome, for example, was only $25,000, including
labor. On that budget, he somehow made jewelry, costumes, hats, and
wraps for 60 characters – although he purchased only 50 yards of fabric
-- and created purses that Neiman Marcus would covet!
The rare
opportunity to hear such a legendary artist share his insights on the
art and philosophy of design, and to witness the warm reminiscences
about the artists with whom he has worked, was a gift to us all.
Especially telling was the moment when Mr. Jonathan Pell, Director of
Artistic Administration, expressed his own deep admiration for Miss
Frederika von Stade, whom Mr. Hall had identified as his favorite
artist, the single most delightful, professional collaboration he’d had
with any artist over the course of his decades of design.
Several
of the works and photos of Mr. Hall being featured in the book La Scala
West by Ronald L. Davis, guests were eager to purchase a copy for Mr.
Hall to autograph as a souvenir. The book is also on sale in the
Dallas Opera Guild Boutique before, during, and after opera
performances.
Guests adjourned to the dining area for a reception while models strolled amongst them wearing two of Mr. Hall’s creations.
An
absolutely fascinating afternoon, the Board of The Dallas Opera Guild
extends a sincere thank you to Mr. Hall, Mr. Gage, and Mr. Pell for
sharing their time and reminiscences with an eager and enthusiastic
audience. A professional video of the Conversation with Peter J. Hall
will be presented to The Dallas Opera for the company’s archives.
Thank
you to event chair Mr. Roger Carroll, to host Dr. Earl Carter, to The
Dallas Opera Costume Shop, to The Dallas Public Library for loaning the
artwork, and to the numerous others whose time and passions ensured a
memorable afternoon for all of those fortunate enough to have attended.
Published in The Dallas Opera’s Entre’Act, Volume 35, February 13, 2008
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| John Gage (left) and Peter J. Hall |
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| The Duke of Mantua from Rigoletto; Olympia, a mechanical doll (on model, center) and Antonia, a singer (in background) from Les contes d’Hoffmann;; and Zerbinetta (on model, right) from Ariadne auf Naxos. |
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| On display were some of Mr. Hall’s designs for Aida (1969), L’Incoronazione di Poppea (1963). and Anna Bolena (1968). |
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Lateral Living Defines London’s Luxe
July 2, 2007
By Cynthia S. Wildridge
There’s a new trend in London, and it’s all about lateral living.
It seems to have started in early 2005 when the Chelsea School of Art relocated next to Tate Britain to
consolidate all its colleges on a single campus. The vacated building,
which had previously housed the Royal Army Medical College, was
acquired by financial trader Julian Simmonds. Aided by developers Nick
and Christopher Candy, the property was transformed into 16 luxurious
single-floor flats. When one of the flats sold for £27,000,000
(approximately $53,000,000 dollars US), the race was on.
The new lateral development at One Hyde Park,
one of the most desirable addresses in the space-starved city, is the
location of the record-breaking £100 million pound luxury penthouse
flat, another project of the Candy and Candy management team. The
buyer, Sheikh Hamad, foreign minister for the Gulf State of Quatar, is
a primary financial backer of the development.
Although the
project is still about two years from completion, investors are
snatching up the 20,000 square-foot flats and penthouses—all single
floor residences—for about £84,000 pounds each, or roughly £4,200
pounds per square foot (about $8,500 dollars US). Those with prime
views overlooking the park’s north side are said to be going for about
£5,000 pounds per square foot.
Nick Candy, one half of the brother development team, attributes
the lateral trend to convenience, saying ultra-high net worth
individuals want large residences in the most sought-after addresses in
London “without living on several floors. The super-rich don’t want to
go up and down stairs all day.”
Known for its high-end projects,
the Candy and Candy team has developed six huge, lateral apartments in
stately neighborhoods such as Chesham Place and Belgravia—the location
of many embassies and former homes of legendary composers Mozart and Chopin. Other developers have followed suit. Read entire article.
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| Top Ten Trends in Luxury Homes for 2007
By Cynthia S. Wildridge
June 4, 2007
In the legal realm, change typically begins in California and heads east. In real estate, trends tend to start with the affluent: By the time the rest of the industry has begun to catch on, the wealthy have already established a new definition of “luxury.”
While the current housing market remains challenging in many geographic regions, the upper tier continues to show its resiliency. Moreover, affluent homeowners typically continue “investing” in their homes even if not in the market to buy or sell a residence. During the four quarters ending in October 2006, Harvard University’s Housing Studies Center estimated that homeowners spent $160 billion in home improvement, a 1.6 % increase over the prior 12 months, with kitchens and bathrooms topping the list. While that represents a slight decline from the long term growth rate of 5%, Kermit Baker, director of the Harvard center, believes there is still potential for growth among the wealthy.
With fewer financial constraints, these ultra consumers have a greater range of choices. So what trends have emerged from recent selections they have made?
Increasing ecological awareness
One of the most notable overall trends reflects an increasing ecological awareness. Green has come into its own—but this generation’s interpretation is a sophisticated one. According to the American Society of Interior Designers (AISD), sustainable design is considered to be the fastest growing trend in the industry.
Motivations may be economic (making a potentially expensive up-front investment in exchange for energy savings and more control over their energy destiny in years to come), aesthetic (installing an geo-thermal heating and cooling system which is hidden underground, rather than that unsightly box at the side of the house), health-related (using chemical-free building materials), or related to social consciousness (using recycled and renewable materials). These eco-choices may be manifested anywhere throughout the home, ranging from selecting alternate energy sources, using non-polluting and chemical-free building materials, employing water conservation methods, installing energy efficient windows, doors and insulation, and even in choosing the types of wood for kitchen cabinets and hardwood floors.
This new Earth-friendly consciousness is equally reflected in color palettes, with the most popular being Earth tones, accented by a bright lime or tangerine color. In choices of woods, oak is passé. Current trends are toward using wenge, an extremely dark, porous African hardwood, or renewable cork and bamboo rather than hardwoods or expensive, exotic woods which threaten rainforest survival.
Outdoor dining à la luxe
Those who can are spending anywhere from $50,000 to $200,000 to outfit their great outdoors for entertaining à la luxe. No longer is it sufficient to air-condition the backyard for those summer garden parties in Houston. Today’s affluent entertain from their outdoor kitchens, often from a gazebo or pavilion, complete with stainless-steel ovens, ranges, and grills, granite countertops, wine coolers, ice makers, and warming drawers. Prices for outdoor kitchens can now rival those of the interior!
Toast your toes with radiant flooring
Long practiced in Europe, the use of radiant flooring is becoming a must-have in luxury homes, providing a clever way to warm chilly bathroom floors via the heating system installed beneath them. One Ohio-based company has designed a heating mat which can be installed beneath the flooring to provide an evenly-distributed heat. While radiant flooring is most frequently found in bathrooms, the company reports that the super-wealthy are installing this slice of luxe throughout the home, with prices averaging about $500 per square foot. Due to its flexibility, bamboo is being promoted as an extremely compatible flooring material for radiant heat. In addition, bamboo matures in 6 years, as compared to the 30 to 120 years it can take for hardwoods to mature.
Read entire article.
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