Stella's Story

Stella Rowland and baritone Roberto Perlas Gomez

How many of us have told the story of our first opera experience? For most, it takes an introduction by a friend or family member. This woman's story is unique because she decided to pursue opera all on her own, and thus began her personal opera adventure. We encourage our gentle readers to leave a comment on this post, or on our Facebook page, and share their own "first" opera experience.

[Editor's note: Stella is a gate watch employee at Ruby Hill, where LVO board member Stephanie resides. To keep our costs low, board members and patrons host singers in their homes.]

We asked Stella to share her story with us. Here it is in her own words:
"It Takes an Introduction -- or Does it?"
by Stella

The day after I attended an opera for the first time (it was a spur of the moment decision to go; I saw a billboard in a store window, and decided I needed a little culture in my life -- "seventy-three is too old to have never seen an opera", so, I bought a ticket and enjoyed a wonderful evening of Pagliacci ~ I loved it...), I took my program to work and was excitedly showing it to Jack, the night officer on duty. He recognized the picture of Roberto Perlas Gomez [lead singer] in the flyer as the same very friendly and charming gentleman he had been allowing entry to as a guest. Roberto performed the role of Tonio the clown, in Livermore Vally Opera's (LVO) presentation of Pagliacci.

After the delight of experiencing my first opera at the Bankhead theater in Livermore, it was doubly exciting to find that Roberto was a guest of the Petermeier family during his engagement at the Bankhead. Never dreaming I'd get a chance to meet him, I asked Jack to get my program autographed. To my surprise, Roberto went out of his way to stop by the gate when I was there and smiled this old lady right into a teenager.

I was so charmed by the combination of events, that I became an immediate groupie of Roberto's, having already been blown away by the new experience of opera.  Seeing his performances, and seeking out this new addition to my life, what opera presents to me is both enriching and stimulating.

Since then, I have seen LVO's excellent presentation of Don Giovanni - twice.  In the past, my area of stimulation has been football. Thanks to LVO, Roberto, and my own spontaneity that caused me to buy that first ticket to the opera, I have added opera to my corner of the world, and it's wonderful to have that corner expanded.

Opera is the best!

Happy New Year,
Stella