Will Travel for Tenor 04
HangingOut inHamburg 08
$60 MillionAspenHideaway 10
What Our ClientsareSaying 11 Featured LuxuryListings 12 Featured inForbes 16
Development Spotlights 17
AcrossOur RockyMountains 18
IN THIS ISSUE
The monthly State of Luxury & Lifestyle Catalog draws inspiration from Luxury Portfolio Magazine, apremier publication that delves into the world of high-end living. It highlights topics such as real estate, design, travel, and lifestyle, offering luxury audiences and collectors an in-depth exploration of these subjects through curated excerpts from Luxury Portfolio. Each issue also features Slifer Smith & Frampton?s Front Range luxury listings,showcasingexceptional properties.
This catalog celebrates the sophisticated lifestyle that accompanies luxury living. From gourmet dining and world-classentertainment to opulent spa experiences and exclusive shopping, Luxury Portfolio Magazine exemplifiesthefinest inluxuriousliving
WILL TRAVEL FOR TENOR
The drama of the opera continues to call audiences into historic theaters across Europe
ByLisaKlein
Sounds of the Opera
The booming echo of the bass, abaritone's big aria, tenors in perfect harmony, alofty soprano trill - thesoundsof theoperahavecaptivated audiencesfor centuries; many will tell you theart form is something you just feel Add to that a background of orchestral excellence, dramatic plotlines, fantastical sets on sweeping stages, opulent costumes and some of the most lavish theatersever built,and theoperasimplyawes
"At itsbest, it ismoving,transcendent, life-affirming," saysDavid Merritt, founder and president of Canada-based Aria Tours, which organizes opera-centric trips "What could be better than sitting in the Met or La Scala in Milan or Teatro di San Carlo in Naples and hearing the best musiciansand singersin theworld perform someof themost sublimemusic ever created?It'sa gift to beableto experienceit "
(3) CommissionedbyEmperor FranzJosephIin1861,the Renaissancerevival-styleVienna StateOperawasthefirst major buildingonthecity'sfamedRing Road
(4) Pucciniwrotefiveversionsof MadamaButterfly,thestoryofa desertedJapanesebridewaiting forherAmericanhusbandto retum,theoriginalpremieringat LaScalainMilanin1904
An operaisdramathrough music - aplay wherethe entirestory istold through song. Theword isactually the plural of opus, latin for the "work" of acomposer, so an operacan bethought of as many of these works strung together. It has its roots in late-16th-century Florence, Italy, where a group known as the Florentine Camerata tried their hand at recreating Greek dramas told through music Jacopo Peri is credited with writing the first, Dafne, in 1597 All of Europe was feeling opera almost immediately - but they were still written only in Italian for nearly 200 years, later expanding to German, French and other languages To put on such dramas, ornate sets were built and even more ornate opera houses constructed for the enormous stages required to hold them- and their audiences.
Operacomposersbecamestars,their worksstill performed today and known bysingular names to even those who don't know opera. In the Baroque era, 1600-1750, it was George Frideric Handel (Aggripina, Rinaldo). In the classical period, 1750-1830, it wasthe one and only Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (The Marriage of Figaro, The Magic Flute) The Romantic period, 1830-1900, saw opera becoming grander than ever, thanks to Gioachino Rossini (The Barber of Seville, Cinderella),Richard Wagner (Der RingdesNibelungen,Rideof theValkyries),GiuseppeVerdi (La Traviata, Aida) and Georges Bizet (Carmen) In the 20th century, there was Giacomo Puccini (MadamaButterfly,LaBohème).
(3) (4)
Love for a Performance
Opera super-fans in the 21st century travel to Europe, and elsewherein theworld,taking inhundredsand even thousandsof performances "Some take five tours a year with me; one gentleman is at 35 tours now," Mr Merritt says of opera buffs' dedication to the art. "I have many regular clients who are like opera Deadheads, the devoted followers of The Grateful Dead who frequently travel to see the band Many travel to hear specific singers- LiseDavidsen isthecurrent star du jour; others travel for specific composers,suchasWagner or Verdi, Many of Mr Merritt'sregularswill attend any tour that includesa full cycle of Wagner's Ring, a series of four operas with a total running time of about 15 hours, usually performed alone or together over four nights The storyline involves gods, mythical creatures and other heroes all battling over a magical ring that grantsultimate power "On my recent tour for the Ring in Zurich, one regular client announced he'd seen the four-opera cycle 30 times," Mr.Merritt says."Believeme,thereareplenty of folksout there who've seen it twice as many times The most famous iteration is in Bayreuth, Germany, each year in the opera house that Wagner had built to his specifications - including minimal padding on seats, the orchestra under the stage and no airconditioning,whichcanbeinterestinginAugust" Mr. Merritt's personal favorites include those by Puccini. "Many opera aficionados will look down their nose at you if you say Puccini, but the music is undeniable," he says "I'm a sucker for melody, and Puccini is hard to beat. Verdi and Wagner took longer for me to 'get' but hearing Nabucco at La Scala[in Milan] andTannhäuser inMunichchanged everything"
The opera houses themselves can certainly enhance the whole experience, with must-see, often historic locales on every Operahead's list, from the reconstructed La Fenice in Venice to thegloriousTeatro di SanCarlo in Naples,built in1737.Acrossthe rest of Europe, there are famed stages to be found in Paris, Vienna, Munich, Madrid, Zurich, Budapest, Valencia, Londonnearly everywhere one can hear an overture wafting through the air Aside from performances, the sites of opera's history beckon travelers,too "Theannual Verdi Festival inParmaisapilgrimage,
of sorts,for many," Mr Merritt says "Peoplewant to seeVerdi's birth house in Le Roncole and Sant Agata, his country estate. I have special accessto these sites, so it'snice to be able to share that with clients We also have special access at the Casa di Riposo in Milan, where Verdi is buried. It's a retirement home for musicians that he established in 1896, and it's pretty special to hear the residents giving vocal or piano lessons to young students."
This interest extends to singers, too, who are stars of the opera world in their own right, like the late, world-famous Luciano Pavarotti. "I've taken groups to the cathedral in Modena where Pavarotti used to sing with his father and to Pavarotti's grave at MontaleRangone," Mr Merritt says "Theseartistsmean so much to myclientsandthesesitesaresacred for them."
Afficionados know putting an opera on is no small feat for the people behind the productions And for an opera to really move the audience, all the pieces must work just right. "The orchestra has to be 'on, the conductor has to treat the music and lead the orchestra perfectly, the staging - whether it's traditional or modern- can't distract or detract from the music," Mr. Merritt says "And then the music itself is so challenging that it's hard enough for the singers to nail the performance, and they also haveto act.Thestarshaveto alignfor it to beA-one."
THESEMOMENTSAREwhat operaloverstravel for, usually preferring to see traditional productions of the classics, but evenpuristsmaybeopento modernized stagingand costumes, English subtitlesand new interpretationsof storiesfor the present day There are also new operas being written by contemporary composers, many acclaimed and which address morecurrent topics
Whether an opera is a modern-day masterpiece or an enduring gem,thesemusical wonderscontinueto givetheir audiencesthat feeling of awe "Great art is timeless, and opera is no different," Mr Merritt says "I think it represents the pursuit of excellence, but also beauty. The best musicians, conductors, singers, directors, stage crews and costume designers, all creating gloriousart inthemost beautiful venuesin theworld - what'snot to love?"
(5, 6) The Teatro alla Scala (La Scala) in Milanopenedin1778,built toreplacetheold opera house destroyed in a fire two years earlierandpaidforbyitsboxowners
(7) Theneo-classicalNationalTheatreinMunichhasbeenrebuilt twice-duetoafire fiveyearsafterits1818openingandafterbeingdestroyedinaWorldWarIIairraid
Hamburg: Harborer of Style
In1963,whenJFKproclaimedColdWarsolidarityintheGermancapitalwiththephraseIchbineinBerliner,ahandfulofcynics delightedlynotedthateinBerlinerwaslocalslangforajellydoughnut.Just aswellhewasn? t speakinginHamburg.Whiletheubiquitous beefpattymight(inaroundaboutway) actuallyhailfromhere,it?snot whyyou?dwant tovisit thiscityontheRiverElbe Rather,it?s Hamburg?sstrikingelegance.
byMichaelHannwacker
Harborer of Style
Ask Julia von Jenisch, chair of the trustees of Hamburg?s most important contemporaryart venue,to nameher favorite museum in the city, and her choice falls on the eponymous Jenisch-Haus Surrounded by the meticulously kept Jenisch Park above the mighty Elbe, it was built almost 200 years ago by an ancestor of her husband But she has a point The ?house? really is worth seeing Reopened after the war as a museum of Hanseatic living culture, it epitomizes the wealthy Hamburgers of the day: distinguished and elegant, with cultivated restraint This is still very much the style of the city?supper echelontoday.
In the park, landscaped in the style of English gardens from around 1800, Julia von Jenisch might well run intoPhilipp Westermeyer, who lives nearby A media entrepreneur whose annual Festival of the Digital Universe brings people like Kim Kardashian,Quentin Tarantino and Jeff Koonsto Hamburg,he came here 20 years ago and has never thought about leaving since Why would he? He remembers a balmy evening last summer when he walked with a friend from New York along the Elbe teeming with container ships, ferries and sailing boats Theypassed theElbphilharmonie,thelandmark building by thePritzker ArchitecturePrize-winning bureau of Herzog & de Meuron, gleaming in the setting sun, and the Landungsbrücken, the former landing site of Europe?s third biggest port. Finally, they reached the Strandperle, a traditional bar on an artificial beach Sometimes the city seems almost Mediterranean This close to the North Sea though, Mediterranean is probably a stretch. ?The weather is absolutely a problem,? opines Julia von Jenisch But that doesn? t stop Philipp Westermeyer bicycling from A to B whenever possible. He marvels at the city?s compactness ? ?When I want to see a major soccer game at the weekend, I takemybiketo thestadium Trythat inNewYork?
After 30 years in the city, Julia von Jenisch summarizes the appeal ?Hamburgers are convinced their city is the most beautiful in the world.? And of all the people Philipp Westermeyer knows who have moved to Hamburg, himself included, hardly anyone has left ?But still,? Michael Becken argues, ?Hamburg should grow.?His vision??Copenhagen has a great spirit ? Perhaps that?s not surprising Unlike any other major German city, there?s a Scandinavian feel to Hamburg, attributable to a shared past as part of the mediaeval Hanseatic Leagueof trading cities. Ultimately,tradeand water and the wealth that spills from it still define the city, with the River Elbe, the Alster Lakes and the winding canals linking today?s occupational districts and striking up a meaningful conversationwiththeir past
TOWN?SEVOLUTION
FEATURED IN FORBES
Thehighest-heldof these steadfast customsisAspen?s dedicationto protectingitself and itsalpinesurroundings, saysLizLeeds,who holdsthe Mother Lodelistingalongside fellowSlifer Smith&Frampton Real Estateagent Debbie Gibson
?Thelocalcommunityherecares deeplyabout Aspen That?swhy planningandzoninghasgottenso hard,becauselocalsstay involved?
Thesewordsunderscore Aspen?stightrope act? balancingincoming luxurywithenvironmental stewardship and anenduring senseof community.
TESTIMONIALS OUR CLIENTS
KIRSTEN HANNA
BOULDER
khanna@sliferfrontrange com
"Kirsten Hanna was amazing, diligent, knowledgeable, polite, gave great advice and was very motivated to assist us with whatever we needed Her negotiations skills were spot on and we would recommend her to anyone looking for a realtor"
- Albert & Kristina Piacente
STEVE WOOD
swood@sliferfrontrange com
"WepreviouslyworkedwithSteveWoodwhen we moved to Colorado and he helped us find our house. So when we decided to sell that house8 yearslater hewastheonewewanted to help us.Heisgreat to work withand knows the businessinsideand out He made it alittle less stressful! We?d use him again if the opportunityaroseand would not go to anyone else!"
- Katrina & Terry Armitage
ANDREA MENEGHEL
BOULDER
ameneghel@sliferfrontrange com
"Andrea Meneghel has been an absolute pleasure to work with. He was easy to work with from start to finish - both easy-going and very professional. His in depth knowledge of Boulder real estate and the Boulder community in general is a tremendous asset . We would work withhimagaininaheartbeat."
- Walter von Pechmann
MARA YEHL
NORTHERN COLORADO
myehl@sliferfrontrange com
"I first met Mara in 2013 when she became my Realtor for 4 properties that I was the Personal Representative for The propertieswerequitecomplicated but Maratook it all in strideand guided me through the difficulties to great closings on all 4 properties I hired her again to help me sell my Condo and this propertybecameanightmarefor her.Shenever waivered and kept at it for 8 months to closing This time she became a Transaction Broker and kept her dignity in dealing with an unruly person on the Buyer's side Again she never waivered and got us to closing Mara is exceptionally knowledgable about Real Estate, different properties, rules & regs of Real Estate and how a property should bepresented for showings I am in awe of her asaRealtor I would recommend her to everyone wanting to buy or sell property Mara Yehl istheBEST!"
- Bobbi Richards
CHERRY CREEK
BOULDER
11780 GOLD HILL ROAD
Whisper Mountain Ranch is the largest and most private property available in Boulder County! A 108 acre ranch (with additional acreage available) close in to Boulder with snow capped mountain views, adjacent to National Forest and located near the historic and idyllic town of Gold Hill Gold Hill isseparated into 3individually deeded parcels35-37acres each respectively Just 20 minutes to Ski Eldora, 30 minutes to downtown Boulder Timber Frame Construction creates a timelessfeel in thisbeautiful home that boasts amazing woodwork with lots of light streaming through and stellar views of mountains and stars! 5 bedroom home with 3400 sf unfinished space to make this home truly custom PLUSindividually deeded parcelsthat allow for additional homesand structuresto be built and can be subdivided With quality, privacy, viewsand size,thisproperty isfor thosewho are looking for the best Boulder hasto offer Horse barn,meadows for grazing, greenhouse, lush forests, private hiking trails, and rock formations provide a variety of ways to enjoy a mountainlifestylejust 30 minutesto Boulder!
5 BED 7 BATH 11,116 SF $7,500,000
1360 WALNUT STREET PH. 401
Imagine waking up to the breathtaking sight of the iconic Boulder Flatirons and savoring a freshly brewed espresso from your personalized Miele machine on your expansive 600 sq ft deck, complete with a cozy gas fireplace.Grabbingyour totebag,youstroll afewblocksto theFarmer'sMarket.Witheverythingconveniently located in downtown Boulder, you decide to leave your car in the private garage Since it's the weekend, you treat yourself to a quick lunch downtown before embarking on a bike ride for some exercise A refreshing shower in your luxurious custom tile bathroom prepares you for the evening ahead, culminating in a visit to your expansivewalk-incloset to pick out theperfect outfit Takingapausebeforetheevening'sfestivities,you admiretheexquisitedesignof your one-of-a-kind,luxurymodernloft intheheart of downtown
2 BED
5 BATH
SF $4,250,000
1212ND AVENUE
Located in historic Niwot,1212nd Avenue,known asTheWhiteHouse, offersararechanceto own abeautifully restored fine-dining establishment with rich history and modern upgrades Formerly home to Rev Taylor's, the building underwent a meticulous renovation in 2013, transforming it into the highly successful 1914 House, a fine-dining restaurant that thrived for over eight years Thoughtful updatespreserved itscharacter Spanning threedistinct areas, property featuresaspaciousdining area, astylish bar, an open chef's kitchen, and two modern restrooms The upper level offers additional dining, a private wine room, an office, and a restroom, along with flexible space for tastings, private events, or culinary education The patio is one of Boulder County's top outdoor dining spots, boasts a retractable awning, fire pit, and raised herb gardens for nearly year-round al fresco dining The restaurant presents outstanding growth potential It's an ideal venue for weddings, conferences, and special events, aligning with Niwot's reputation as a destination, especially with its 150th anniversary celebration set to boost tourism $2435 per square foot base rent plus approx $50,000 per year NNN Don't miss this chance to own a landmark restaurant in a thriving community
Listed by Deborah Read Fowler | 720 378 1217
0.26 ACRES 6,714 SF
$3,495,000
EVERGREEN
26467 BELL PARK DRIVE
After a leisurely dinner at your favorite restaurant in Evergreen, take aquick 10 minute drive up the hill to 26467 Bell Park Drive As you approach thetop of thehill,thesunset to thewest isglowing orange, pink,purpleand red You pull into thethreecar garage,plug in the Tesla and head inside, deciding whether to take the stairs or ride the elevator because your legs are cooked from along mountain bike ride earlier that morning Upon exiting the elevator, you turn the corner to be overwhelmed by the views of the sunset out the wall of windows, roughly 30 feet high at the peak of the roofline, spanning the entirety of the main living area Looking westward without obstruction,theonlylimitationto thevistaisthecapacityof thehuman eye Youflick on thefireplacefor someadded ambianceand boil somewater for acup of teain akitchen that all of your friendsarejealousof when you host dinner parties And after arelaxing moment onthedeck withyour tea,thesunhasfullyset and youdecideto head downstairsto catchaquick sessioninthesaunaprior to turningin for the night Dreams of what tomorrow will bring fill your mind as you drift off And each morning upon awakening, you?re pleased to realizethiswasn? t just adream,thisishome
5 BED
4 5 BATH
4,868 SF
$2,685,900
FEATURED IN FORBES
NEW DEVELOPMENT SPOTLIGHT
ARCADIAN | BEAVER CREEK
Nestledwithinthegatesof Beaver Creek,anenchantingmountainhaven awaits Analpinecommunity,bringsablendof natureandelegance
ArcadianBeaverCreek com | 970 471 4945
STRATOS | SNOWMASS VILLAGE
Stratosistheculminationof yearsof inspired designand sustainableconstruction byEast West Partnerscompletingthevision for anewSnowmassBaseVillage
StratosSnowmass com | 970 924 9100
