Geneva's Grand Theatre Treasures! Opera Costumes Up For Grabs?!

Geneva's Grand Theatre, a fixture in the city since 1879, is about to give the public a rare peek behind the curtain. And not just a peek – a chance to actually *own* a piece of opera history. They're selling off about half of their massive Costume collection, and trust me, as someone who's spent a fair amount of time backstage in various theatres, this is a big deal.

Geneva's Grand Theatre Treasures! Opera Costumes U...

Scheduled for February 14th and 15th, the sale promises "a rare opportunity to step behind the scenes and take home a living fragment of the show," according to the theatre. I have to say, that's pretty accurate. Think about it: these aren't just clothes, they're vessels of performance, imbued with the energy of countless actors, singers, and dancers.

Sandra Delpierre, the head of the Costume workshops, sounded genuinely excited when talking to AFP. She showed off the incredible array of garments stored in a warehouse near Geneva. We're talking everything from simple vests and tunics to incredibly elaborate dresses and even leotards. She even mentioned some rather unusual pieces, like large animal heads – a rat and a bull, specifically. Imagine *that* hanging in your living room! Apparently, there’s also an intricately embroidered dress made for Handel's opera "Alcina," and a really interesting neoprene crinoline-inspired costume. A bit out there, but definitely cool.

The Grand Theatre's website boasts that the sale will offer "something for every taste," from valet attire to duchess gowns and even pieces reminiscent of the Roaring Twenties. The costumes, some dating back to the 1980s, will be available at prices ranging from five to 500 Swiss francs (that's roughly $6.50-$650). Not bad, considering the history and artistry involved. You could snag a real treasure for less than the cost of a fancy dinner.

But the real showstopper, at least according to Marianne Perreau, who's overseeing the sale, is a "monumental" piece by Romanian costume designer Miruna Boruzescu. Priced at 995 Swiss francs, Perreau says it embodies "everything that makes a remarkable costume." It's a heavy, green creation that looks like a luxurious, almost otherworldly plant creature. Imagine overlapping leaves, gold embroidery, and even peacock feathers. This beauty was worn by dancers in the opera "JJR (Citizen of Geneva)," which paid tribute to philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Just stunning.

Perreau also pointed out the insane level of detail in the Boruzescu costume, saying "each piece of fabric, each petal, is made from different material" and top-stitched to create the impression of veining. That's the kind of craftsmanship you just don't see every day. There's also a light green piece by Italian costume designer Ezio Toffolutti for a fairy in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Honestly, if I were in Geneva, I'd be camped outside the theatre right now. This is the kind of sale that costume enthusiasts – and theatre lovers in general – dream about.