Designing Andrea Chénier - Bringing the French Revolution to life (The Royal Opera)

Watch the cast and creative team offer an insight into what it takes to design costumes for an authentic period production. Find out more at www.roh.org.uk/productions/and...
The premiere of Andrea Chénier at La Scala, Milan, on 28 March 1896 propelled the young Umberto Giordano to the front rank of the giovane scuola (an up-and-coming group of young Italian composers that included Puccini and Mascagni). The opera exemplifies the verismo style that dominated Italian opera of the period - nowhere more so than in Giordano's skilful interpolation of different musical styles to provide local colour, from the aristocratic Gavotte of Act I to the Marseillaise in Act IV. The libretto by Luigi Illica (Puccini’s collaborator for Manon Lescaut, La bohème, Tosca and Madama Butterfly) was inspired by the real-life Romantic poet André Chénier, who was guillotined just three days before Robespierre's execution.
Andrea Chénier has become celebrated for the lyrical music it offers the tenor who takes the leading role, with the off-the-cuff Improvviso of Act I and his final aria 'Come un bel dì di maggio' particular highlights. But there are thrilling moments for the whole cast, including Maddalena's ardent aria 'La mamma morta', Gérard’s 'Nemico della patria!’ and a host of dramatic duets and characterful ensembles. David McVicar (whose productions for The Royal Opera include Le nozze di Figaro, Faust and Die Zauberflöte) directs The Royal Opera's new production, moving from the opulence of pre-Revolutionary France to the horrors of the Reign of Terror.

[@smolinlondon]

It's great that ROH actually lets us know and see at work some of the other people who actually make the performance happen. Pleeease keep doing videos that showcase their work and show us even more different kinds of jobs. :) Lighting for example. And what it takes to direct a cinema live broadcasting. So many times, in dvds, the camera angles are just so wrong. How does one go about to decide what's right?

[@nolacolman]

This is a fascinating "behind the scenes" look at the use of believable materials in period costumes. I wonder how many other productions do likewise. A similare program on scenery construction would also be interesting.

[@Elemiriel]

LOVE these costume and making of videos! Subscribing and hoping to see more of them!

[@momentarilylapse]

I second the comment below. It's fascinating to see the people who work behind the scenes of the ballet and opera. I love the attention to detail among the creative team -- and in these videos. Inspiring stuff.

[@gabrielforde4347]

u know i was in this

[@ChrisChanningChannel]

Glorious. And all that's needed now is a cheese-grater and a can of black spray paint :_))

[@gabrielforde4347]

im so sad its all over ):