Opera and Ballet Costume (2) – To Go Further
Pasquale’s Costume
Orlando Paladino, opera in three acts by Joseph Haydn.
Presented at the Théâtre du Châtelet in 2012 under the direction of Kamel Ouali, choreography by Kamel Ouali, orchestral direction by Jean-Christophe Spinosi, costumes by Nicolas Buffe.
The costume worn during the performance by Bruno Taddia in the role of the squire Pasquale.
In this opera inspired by Ariosto’s Orlando Furioso (early 16th century), the knight Orlando pursues the woman he loves, aided by his squire Pasquale. Queen Angelica and her lover Medoro have no choice but to hide to escape the spurned young man.
Agenor’s Costume
Il Re Pastore, The Shepherd King, opera in two acts by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Staged at the Théâtre du Châtelet in 2015, directed by Olivier Fredj and Nicolas Buffe, musical direction by Jean-Christophe Spinosi, choreography by Nicolas Buffe, costumes by Nicolas Buffe.
The costume worn by Krystian Adam in the role of Agenor.
It was at the age of 19 that Mozart took over this Italian opera by Felice Giardini in 1775. It follows the journey of Aminta, a shepherd and heir to the throne of the city of Sidon, from his marriage to his accession to the throne. Agenor is an aristocrat at the court of the shepherd-king Aminta.
Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart are quintessential classical artists. Yet the visual artist Nicolas Buffe, who designed the costumes for these two operas, decided to transpose these worlds into a realm of his own references: pop culture. For example, in Kamel Ouali and Nicolas Buffe’s “futuristic” version of Orlando Paladino, Pasquale doesn’t travel on horseback but on the Pasquale Mobile, a trike (a motorcycle with two rear wheels).
This is a far cry from the more “conservative” versions of the Swan Lake costumes presented in the Théâtre du Merveilleux.
Dancer’s costume
Turangalila, ballet created and directed by Roland Petit, music by Olivier Messiaen, sets by Max Ernst, costume by Yves Saint Laurent, June 1968 at the Opéra Garnier.