LA Opera's longtime Costume Director Jenny Green recently retired to return to her native UK. She is principally responsible for the Costume Shop’s peerless reputation for creative invention and astonishing attention to detail among the world’s top opera companies. Some of our favorite designers shared their praise for one of the company’s backstage heroes.
Jenny Green and Matthew Aucoin.
Mattie Ullrich
The Two Foscari, Nabucco, The Clemency of Titus
Mattie Ullrich's sketch of a costume in "The Clemency of Titus."
“The more seamlessly a shop works, the better chance you have of sending out a confident singer on stage. The more confident the singer, the more dynamic the performance. Jenny has set the tone for how opera costumes should be produced and maintained across the world. May you have a beautiful retirement Jenny Green. The costume world will miss you sorely."
Linda Cho
The Broken Jug, The Dwarf, The Birds, The Ghosts of Versailles
Linda Cho's sketch of Marie Antoinette's costume in "The Ghosts of Versailles."
“In the world of costume, whenever Jenny Green’s name is brought up it’s followed by a chorus of respect, admiration and affection. She maintains the highest possible standards and shows true compassion and understanding of the art and of the individual.”
Suttirat Larlarb
Macbeth
Suttirat Larlarb's sketch of Lady Mcbeth's costume in "Macbeth."
“I met with Jenny for the first time one New Year’s Eve, because it was the only day my schedule would accommodate. This was the beginning of my understanding of her superhuman commitment to the process of bringing costumes to life. I count working with her and her superlative team among the most treasured experiences of my career.”
Tim Goodchild
Roméo et Juliette, Don Carlo, The Marriage of Figaro
Tim Goodchild's sketch of Figaro and Susanna costumes in "The Marriage of Figaro."
“Jenny runs the most incredible workshop and her team always produces stunning work. I call her “No-Messing-About Jenny”—she is incredibly fair, blunt and to the point, and I can honestly say she will be hugely missed by all.”
All of us at LA Opera echo these sentiments and wish Jenny a very happy retirement.
