Etspiration Wednesday: The Opera

Hi all, happy Wednesday!

I finished a great book recently and thought I'd give it a mention.  It's called Bel Canto and it's written by Ann Patchett.  In a nutshell, it takes place in a South American country and concerns the birthday party of a wealthy Japanese executive who is an opera devotee.  A famous soprano is scheduled to perform at the event, but a rebel faction takes all the party goers hostage, including the soprano.  The standoff is lengthy, and people on both sides of the hostage line form lasting bonds.

I love reading books about which I know nothing, and here that includes pretty much everything, including opera.  I think prior to reading it, my only exposure to opera was that Bugs Bunny cartoon based off the Barber of Seville.

It's so beautiful though.  And universal.  It doesn't matter if we're listening in Italian or French, just the sound of opera is poetic.  I've come to discover that the look of opera is pure poetry as well.  While doing this etspiration, I became rather obsessed with opera librettos (the programs that explain what the heck everyone is singing about).  Take a look at some nifty opera themed items I found this week.

1A:  Lucky Folding Opera Glasses Image Courtesy TheVintageDogHouse
1B:  Piero Fornasetti Opera Coasters Image Courtesy EyePopVintage
1C:  Serenade Me Music Pillow Image Courtesy WordGarden
1D:  Opera Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils

These opera glasses are just the coolest.  I love the box as well. 

2A:  Vintage Metropolitan Opera Libretto Image Courtesy ChesapeakeVintage
2B:  Three Opera Composer Busts Image Courtesy StevesStoreOfStuff
2C:  French Opera Theatre Image Courtesy BurlapLuxe

You really do need to click on the link for 2C to get the full effect.  It's a child's toy.  Apparently, it was la mode in the late 19th France to stage tiny operas with dolls in these amazing little theatres.  I don't know about you all, but I had lincoln logs. 

3A:  Tall Stack of Music, Opera, and Ballet Books Image Courtesy BeJoyfulVintage
3B:  Cast Iron Singer Sign Image Courtesy Luckyjunk
3C:  Opera With Crown And Address Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
3D:  Portuguese Opera Program Booklet Image Courtesy PetiteBrocante

The libretto in 3D is amazing.  It's a little slice of Art Nouveau brilliance.  I love the type, love the color choice, love everything about it.

4A:  Civic Opera House Program Image Courtesy DitzyDarlings
4B:  La Boheme Poster Magnet Image Courtesy LabelStone
4C:  Opera Poster Fabric Panel Image Courtesy FleaMarketTrixie
4D:  Opera Municipal Marseille Address Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils

LabelStone takes vintage fruit labels and posters and makes magnets out of them.  This La Boheme poster is really terrific.  The composition is just great. 

Thanks to all our lovely Etsy Sellers for use of their photos.

Have you been reading any good books lately?  I am always on the lookout for a great new read!  Drop us a comment!

See you Friday.  We've got a fab German feature for you all.