Here’s a once-in-a-while treasure hunt for costume lovers, performers and Halloween planners: San Francisco Opera will open its famous Scene Shop in Burlingame on October 17 and 18 for a public Costume Sale, offering the public the chance to own authentic theatrical costumes from decades of productions that have graced the stage of the War Memorial Opera House.
The collection is a feast for the imagination: Victorian dresses, Edwardian ensembles, Renaissance doublets, richly embroidered military uniforms, dramatic capes and whimsical creations from operas such as Luisa Miller, Un Ballo in Maschera, Idomeneo, Fidelio and Don Giovanni — each piece handmade by skilled artisans and designers and carrying its own story, artistry and history.
Prices range from just $5 to $525 and more for premium pieces, covering a wide range of tastes and budgets — a perfect opportunity to find a unique Halloween or Renaissance-fair outfit. A selection of stage props and opera merchandise will also be on sale.
The sale runs Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (last entry at 4:30 p.m.). Timed-entry tickets are required and are available at sfopera.com/costume-sale; children ages 6 and up need a ticket. Best of all, every dollar from entry fees and sales supports San Francisco Opera’s mission of bringing the transformative power of musical storytelling to the community.
Photo: San Francisco Opera
