No Krapp

Photos: www.designboom, by Marcello Orselli

It's amazing what you can do with a bent metal rod and a sheet of useless instructions. 

"Ikea sets" is established shorthand for cheap-looking minimalist theatrical design. But that's not what the flatpack giants came up with for a couple of one act operas at the Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa.

Traditional, vaguely nineteenth century styling was employed for Donizetti's Il campanello, and Gianni Schicchi was set in medieval times.

According to Cap-fearing aesthetes designboom the selected furnishings survived some hardcore onstage product testing: “‘'the bell' takes place inside of the house of a newly-wed couple. along with the costumes and props, the chairs, tables and buffets communicate their location and social status. the flexible quality of the pieces allowed them to be moved  and arranged by the actors, becoming a key component of the play. the second opera, 'gianni schicchi' took a different approach to using the furniture, with a bedroom being the main location. using natural wood finishes created a different atmosphere. the aspelund bed frame, in center stage, was a main prop, with the singers jumping on and off several times.”

Comments

[Diane]

Good grief! Didn't know that Rolando Panerai is still performing - he must be well into his 80s by now. I'd like some of whatever he's on, please!

[Oroveso]

@Diane: I believe Panerai was born in 1924 so the math and the longevity are astonishing! I saw him as Figaro in a stunning Visconti production (1968) of LE NOZZE DI FIGARO, conducted by Giulini, opposite the Count of Tito Gobbi and the Susanna of Graziella Sciutti!