Set Designer

A shrewd politician, a jilted bride disguised as a man, and three upper crust, eager to marry gentlemen make for all kinds of confusion in Handel’s tragicomedy. The libretto drew on texts by the Roman poet Silvio Stampiglia, who prefered writing silly stories and biting comedy to moralising plots and pathos. His work’s got nothing to do with Partenope, the last Siren Odysseus encountered on his Odyssey. In Handel’s opera she’s foundress and Queen of Naples, who’s being courted by three men. The first, shy Armindo, waits a long time before declaring his love for the Queen. The second, Emilio, arrives with his army, ordering the Queen to choose between marriage or war. Partenope beats him in battle, has him arrested, offering him friendship instead.

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Partenope

Bockenheimer Depot

Imposing choruses and colossal tableaux accompany a story about intrigues, power play and an affair between stepmother and son in Ottorino Respighi’s last grand opera. Surrounded by political struggles, the figures become entangled in personal conflicts inextricably leading towards catastrophe and the cruel ending of a burning at the stake. For LA FIAMMA, Respighi created music going far beyond his illustrative-seeming “Trilogia romana” for which he is known in concert halls today. Yet in essence, the composer remained true to his colourful tonal language – the result is a musical amalgamation of French impressionism, influences of Russian music and a classicistic reimagining of Italian renaissance music. The archaic story and expansive dimensions of the operatic epos are reminiscent of the genre of the historical epic film, which was gaining popularity at the same time the opera was composed. This meant LA FIAMMA hit the nerve of the time, ensuring international success soon after its premiere. Over the course of decades, the work was slowly forgotten, yet the renowned critic and musicologist Paolo Isotta still praised LA FIAMMA in 2015 as a unique symbiosis of historicism and modernism, claiming its place among the 20th century’s masterworks of musical drama.

The flame

Deutsche Oper Berlin

For Leonora, the troubadour Manrico's song holds the promise and the fervor of love, while Manrico's rival Count Luna perceives threat and danger in it. Verdi's opera is a celebration of Italian opera singing at its finest - it is no coincidence that the title character is himself a singer. And yet, for the composer, Azucena, Manrico's mother, was the real main character. Il trovatore is rich in dramatic complications and intense emotions, which Verdi juxtaposes harshly in images and scenes. The tragedy unfolds relentlessly before our eyes and ears until the truth is revealed in the last seconds of the opera.

Il trovatore

Hamburg State Opera

Violetta is the most sought-after courtesan of the Parisian demimonde. However, her encounter with Alfredo makes her pleasure-seeking life seem questionable: they fall in love and try to build a life for themselves, far from the fast pleasures of the city. Her past, however, catches up with Violetta. Alfredo’s father persuades her that a separation is the only way to restore his family honour. Alfredo, unaware of the true reasons for her decision, insults Violetta in public. When they are finally reunited, Violetta has run out of time.

Herbert Murauer

Set Designer

Events

Upcoming events

Mar 27, 2025

Il trovatore · Staatsoper Hamburg

8 - 19 Apr, 2025

La Traviata · Staatsoper Hamburg

Past events

Nov 25, 2024

Partenope · Oper Frankfurt

Sep 29 - Oct 18, 2024

The flame · Deutsche Oper Berlin

About

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