People: Aug. 25, 1986

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Life, death, sex, politics, family problems: all familiar themes on the opera stage, but usually performed by a cast of thousands. Last week Comic Robin Williams, 34, filled the cavernous stage of New York City's Metropolitan Opera House all by himself for two sold-out shows that were taped by HBO for a broadcast special. As usual, his seemingly extemporaneous material was achingly funny, mostly ribald and partly tailored to his surroundings: "Imagine Pavarotti at the Improv (comedy club)," he mused. Saluting the opera house itself, Williams called its huge crystal chandeliers "earrings from the Imelda Marcos collection."