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Over 70 miles of thread have been used in stitching
costumes for Napoleon, according to costume designer Jane
Tschetter.
Designs for the opera have been researched through
paintings of the period, Tshchetter said.
"The basic dresses cost from three to five dollars. With
around six yards of trim per costume, the decorations often
cost more than the dress," Tschetter said.
The men's clothes are elaborately trimmed. Eighteen
buttons are used on each soldier's costume. Discarded
University band uniforms were donated for this use.
"That alone saved around $300," Tschetter said. Eagle trim,
feathers, gray overcoats were also salvaged. Tall boots for the
generals'were borrowed from the University Theatre.
Costumes were started early in November. Over 340 yards
of material went into the male chorus uniforms.
"I'd never cut so many of one kind of coat before,
Tschetter said. She and her crew of "two-and-a-half" people
(two fulltime workers and "lots of help") constructed the
costumes. , , .
Broeades, velvets, sheers, and fur become most elaborate in
Napoleon's coronation scene. Tschetter said designs for the
scene's costumes were copied as closely as possible from a
painting of Josephine's crowning.
Tschetter said the costumes reflect the immoral attitude or
the Revolutionary period in Paris, using clinging, sheer fabrics
for women, with men contrasting in stiff collars and high
boots in battle and pumps and stockings in court festivities.