Il Trovatore

Sydney Opera House, Sidney (AU) 2022
2022
Completed
Opera

We design the stage for this adaptation of the "Trovatore" by director Davide Livermore at the Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House

We design the stage for this adaptation of Verdi's "Il Trovatore" by director Davide Livermore at the Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House

Verdi had a taste for high drama, and "Il Trovatore" has all the hallmarks of a great story, enhanced by monumental digital stagecraft: a love triangle, an intergenerational quest for revenge, and a woman willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for the man she loves.

The set design and digital content we imagined are appropriately dark and disturbing. The front panels display vibrant tarot cards, foretelling the Gypsy's prophecy. The bright reds, pinks, greens and yellows match the costumes and acrobatic physicality of the Roma circus company. The grandeur and performativity of the circus contrasts with the monochromatic visual images of a war-torn cityscape in the background.

Render of the set: curved wall of screens showing ruined walls around a scaffolded arch, with hospital beds on stage – Il Trovatore at Sydney Opera House, Australia, 2022 – set design
Render of the circus set: ornate proscenium framed by marquee lights and drapes, Ferris wheel images on the side panels – Il Trovatore at Sydney Opera House, Australia, 2022 – set designRender of the set with a starry curtain, a glowing eye emblem above and tarot-card designs on the side panels – Il Trovatore at Sydney Opera House, Australia, 2022 – set design
Render of the circus set with a stormy sky video, side stairways and a checkered podium framed by marquee lights – Il Trovatore at Sydney Opera House, Australia, 2022 – set designRender of a Ferris wheel scene behind metal platforms, framed by lit drapes and lightning on the side screens – Il Trovatore at Sydney Opera House, Australia, 2022 – set design
Render of a dark stage enclosed by flickering white light strips, a lone figure standing at the centre – Il Trovatore at Sydney Opera House, Australia, 2022 – set designKey visual: a man in a white shirt raising a sword, red cape flying, against a dark backdrop with fiery cracks – Il Trovatore at Sydney Opera House, Australia, 2022 – set design
Render of the set with pale tiled screens showing crumbling walls around a scaffolded ruined arch – Il Trovatore at Sydney Opera House, Australia, 2022 – set designRender of a dark scene with silhouettes behind teal translucent curtains, an ornate lit frame and Ferris wheel panels – Il Trovatore at Sydney Opera House, Australia, 2022 – set design