This video provides a view to GIA library’s books as well as pictures of the drama, music, and costume jewelry seen in the San Diego Opera production of Tosca; Edited by Caroline Nelms
Giacomo Puccini’s dramatic 1900 Italian opera of lust, treachery, and vengeance, Tosca, was recently produced by the San Diego Opera. Being in the production, I was able to take a few pictures and coordinate additional photography of some of the opera’s jewelry. Together with the costume director, Ingrid Helton, we obtained stage photographs and some close-ups that show the jewels worn by the diva and others, onstage. I later compiled all of this into the video shown here.
The link between opera and jewelry is solid. The GIA Library actually has a book about an Italian jewelry company that made jewelry (and weapons) specifically for the theater. “Corbella Milano: The First Italian Manufacturer of Jewellery and Weapons for the Theatre” Here is a library record for the book:
https://g30010.eos-intl.net/G30010/OPAC/Details/Record.aspx?BibCode=93761783
The noted opera diva, Maria Callas, who often sang the title role in Puccini’s Tosca, is featured in one of the library’s books as well. 20th century jewelry & the icons of style, by Stefano Papi & Alexandra Rhodes, features a stunning picture of her on the cover. It likely helped sell her music – and some jewels as well! Here is a library record for the book:
https://g30010.eos-intl.net/G30010/OPAC/Details/Record.aspx?BibCode=67989534
In the production of San Diego’s Tosca, the three necklaces and tiara worn by soprano, Michelle Bradley, were borrowed from Seattle Opera, along with the cardinal and bishop’s bejeweled headpieces. The rest of the jewelry came from San Diego Opera’s stock.
