West Bay Opera

The translation screen kept not showing the English translation of an Italian language play… that’s my only critique and a bit disappointed on that but the voices… costume…background…all superb… I’d definitely give this a 5 except for this minor thing…

West Bay Opera is a hidden performing arts gem on the peninsula. Each of their shows I’ve seen has blown me away with top notch singing, creative productions and an intimate setting where the performers really get to act and connect with the audience. I now have taken 10 year old children of family friends to two different productions. Both have been asking to go back! One of the kids wanted to go back stage to collect autographs of the singers. What a powerful impact West Bay Opera made on a kid who had never before seen an opera! Worried that opera is too inaccessible for kids or adults? Think again!
I understand the company relies on volunteers to fill the ranks of its chorus and other volunteers to help with all sorts of back stage and lobby activities. It’s definitely worth checking out.

They have great productions! One of the best I’ve been to and yes, even better than SF Opera. They only have about 3 shows a season and we always try to catch everyone of them.

I’ve attended many productions at West Bay Opera, and every time I am astonished by the quality of the production and the singers. I don’t have any idea how such a tiny company consistently puts on such amazing productions. The house is small and intimate, the singers make my spine quiver with excitement and the acting, staging, and costumes are awesome. I don’t like paying so much for tickets, as I pay less at bigger companies, but I’ve got to take my opera glasses if I want to see anything, so it is definitely worth every penny. This company has a significant folllowing and it can be hard to get tickets.

There are two very different things here – the actual Opera (which performs at the Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto) and the Opera Costume Rentals (where you can rent the Opera costumes for three weeks at a time from 221 Lambert Avenue, Palo Alto.)
This is a review for the Costume Rentals. For a costume-​lover, this place is pure heaven. There are racks and racks and rows and rows of incredible costumes from many different eras. There are also many accessories and unique hats, but there are no top hats, no wigs and no shoes.
I was going to the Edwardian Ball and I wanted to create a «vintage fantasy costume» and half the fun was trying on all the different gowns and jackets. My friend and I both rented costumes for $ 110 each.
The selection is great, but each item only comes in one size, so it’s easy to find the «perfect thing» that doesn’t fit. It’s much easier to find something in smaller sizes than in size 12 or 14.
Myra was very helpful, but I’m afraid I must have irritated her by mixing hats and accessories from different centuries. «They would have never worn that hat with that dress!» When I was creating my outfit I wasn’t going for authentic; I was going for «fun.» And I fell in love with the head-​piece I rented. When I wore my costume, I felt like the belle of the Ball.
This place could be more successful (and raise more money for the Opera) if it was open more days (or hours) a week (right now it is only open Wednesday.) A $ 20 per hour surcharge applies for appointments outside of costume rental hours which are 12:30pm to 4:30pm on Wed. In other words, they are open 4 hours a week. (They do offer extended hours for Halloween Costume Rental in October.)
It would be great if there were a less expensive option to rent the clothing for 2 or 3 days. Currently the only option is to rent the item for three weeks (as they typically cater to theater companies.)

Opening night at Carmen. My first time seeing Carmen, after growing up with parents who had MET tickets and seeing operas as a child… which I didn’t particularly appreciate. Enjoyed WBO’s Carmen. Carmen herself was played beautifully by a woman with attitude. When she spat in someone’s face, you could feel her disgust. The voices of all the protagonists were beautiful… Michaela, — her amazing Aria, Carmen in all her scenes, and Luis and the other two men, plus the gypsies and smugglers. The set designs were awesome. And although we were in the last row side, the seats in that small theater are all good. I only wish there was better projection/​microphones. PS — the orchestra was fabulous — the bassoon, horns, clarinet, and flutes/​pic and the rest of the orchestra played the beautiful music of Bizet fantastically. Bravo to Carmen @ WPO.

The West Bay Opera company is not just a place for the arts and entertainment, they also rent out their costumes. I have yet to see a performance, so I’ll defer to the posters before me. This review however is of their costume shop department.
So they don’t have a separate entity, the costumes you get to rent are the costumes the performers use. They are custom made for the performers as well, so when you come to browse, you really have to get into it. Luckily, the staff (Merna helped me!) was so sweet and very knowledgeable. She knew the histories behind things and why women wore certain things and not others. I sent in an email to make an appointment, explained that I needed a costume for the renaissance faire and she had ideas and costumes already picked out!
It wasn’t only renaissance things either. They have A TON of costumes. I’m not kidding you. And this isn’t the kind of stuff you buy online. This is heavy, sturdy and well-​made material. The colors can be vibrant and gorgeous, or muted and plain. They have wigs and hats and all kinds of accessories. Need help putting together an idea? Just ask! They’re like walking historians!
They are only open on Fridays from 1−4pm. Any other day or time requires an appointment be made. It’s 20/​hr with a one hour minimum. We got out of there in one hour tops. That’s mainly because Merna just knew so much, she really helped read my mind.
At first I thought I wanted to be a poor and disheleved peasant, but after seeing some of the other outfits, that went completely out the door. Instead I went for a merchant’s wife/​middle class outfit. It was a dull orange, which looked wonderful on my skin. I’m dark and Merna picked out colors that would really *pop* on me. (pop in the renaissance way)
My total rental for an outfit that would’ve cost $ 500 to buy was $ 80, including my rental fee. Also, if you rent once, you get a 10% discount for your next rental. They do a lot of business during Halloween (of course), but even if you have a party and need a costume, I would really check them out because at the very least, they know so much… it helps to have someone to bounce ideas of off!
5 stars. Outstanding service. So friendly. So knowledgeable. Knew what would make me (short, chubby, dark-​skinned) look good and amazing prices considering the high quality of the costumes.

I saw Cosi Fan Tutte a couple months ago and really enjoyed the performance. The theater is small, but it makes for a truly intimate atmosphere. The voices of all the singers were strong and for the quality of the performance, the ticket price was a bargain — even more of a bargain because my friend and I got discounted tickets through
. I think my only complaint is that parking pretty much sucked. There was limited parking available in the community center’s lot, so if you get there close to the performance time (like us), you’re pretty much left roaming the surrounding neighborhood’s streets and walking a block or two to the theater… not that bad, but also not great if it’s raining.

Enjoyed the performance of the Merry Widow. This opera was performed in Louis Stern Community Center. A smaller theater, the performers feel very close to the audience. The opera was presented in English with English subtitles. The singers are very professional and hit all the right notes. Stage setting was simple but effective. Had a wonderful time and will come back for more performances next season.