Skip to content

ISSN: 2446-211X

  • 54k
  • 43k
Search
Close
  • Home
  • Design
  • Programs
    • UNITA For Future
  • Interviews
  • Exhibitions
  • Academia
Menu
  • Home
  • Design
  • Programs
    • UNITA For Future
  • Interviews
  • Exhibitions
  • Academia
Set design Paolo-Fantin-Damiano-Michieletto-Beatrice-et-Benedict-Blandine-Soulage-01100.jpg
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict  | Dir. Damiano Michieletto  | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Gianluca Ciriaci
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict  | Dir. Damiano Michieletto  | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict  | Dir. Damiano Michieletto  | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Set design Paolo-Fantin-Damiano-Michieletto-Beatrice-et-Benedict-Blandine-Soulage-01102
Set design Paolo-Fantin-Damiano-Michieletto-Beatrice-et-Benedict-Blandine-Soulage-01110
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict  | Dir. Damiano Michieletto  | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict  | Dir. Damiano Michieletto  | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict  | Dir. Damiano Michieletto  | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict  | Dir. Damiano Michieletto  | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict  | Dir. Damiano Michieletto  | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Gianluca Ciriaci

Images © Blandine Soulage, Gianluca Ciriaci

Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict

Opera

Opera

Author

Giuliano Picchi

Published

January 7, 2021

Photography

Blandine Soulage, Gianluca Ciriaci

A production

Opéra de Lyon

Music: Hector Berlioz

Direction: Damiano Michieletto

Sets: Paolo Fantin

Costumes: Agostino Cavalca

Lighting: Alessandro Carletti

Choreography: Chiara Vecchi

Gallery

Set design Paolo-Fantin-Damiano-Michieletto-Beatrice-et-Benedict-Blandine-Soulage-01100.jpg
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict  | Dir. Damiano Michieletto  | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Gianluca Ciriaci
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Gianluca Ciriaci
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict  | Dir. Damiano Michieletto  | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict  | Dir. Damiano Michieletto  | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Set design Paolo-Fantin-Damiano-Michieletto-Beatrice-et-Benedict-Blandine-Soulage-01102
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Set design Paolo-Fantin-Damiano-Michieletto-Beatrice-et-Benedict-Blandine-Soulage-01110
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict  | Dir. Damiano Michieletto  | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict  | Dir. Damiano Michieletto  | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict  | Dir. Damiano Michieletto  | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict  | Dir. Damiano Michieletto  | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict  | Dir. Damiano Michieletto  | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Gianluca Ciriaci
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Gianluca Ciriaci
Previous
Next
[instagram-feed feed=2]

Berlioz composed the comic opera Béatrice et Bénédict between 1860 and 1862 and wrote the libretto himself as an adaptation of Shakespeare’s comedy Much ado about nothing. As per his admission, he only took one aspect of the original—namely the sentimental intrigue between Beatrice and Benedick—while inventing the rest.

“We could say that Berlioz took away the obscure part of the text and mainly left the theme of love,” Paolo Fantin tells Scenography Today. “Not much of Shakespeare’s story is left in the libretto, so we opted for a conceptual and visionary reading of the opera. We staged what we could define a love experiment.”

Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict  | Dir. Damiano Michieletto  | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Blandine Soulage

Carried out by Somarone, a character introduced by Berlioz, the experiment revolves around the couple Béatrice and Bénédict who, despite their own stance against marriage, will commit to one another in the end. The staging highlights the dichotomy of free vs marital love embodied in the protagonist couple vs that of Héro and Claudio. It does so through a journey in which the leading characters discover their own relationship. “We have tried to analyze these two opposite kinds of love. On the one hand, Béatrice and Bénédict love each other out of passion with no conventional rules, on the other hand, Héro and Claudio’s love revolves around the security of marriage and a home.”

Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict  | Dir. Damiano Michieletto  | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Blandine Soulage

The sets

The scene is articulated in depth along two planes: a dark space on the proscenium and a white environment on the stage. “For the sets, I took inspiration from a control room,” says Fantin. “On the dark proscenium, Somarone conducts the experiment and he audiotapes everything happens on stage, while the white room is the space of the experiment”.

Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict  | Dir. Damiano Michieletto  | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Blandine Soulage

All chorists are Somarone’s helpers who with headphones and microphones spy and audiotape all dialogues. The recordings will be used in the end as proof that Béatrice and Bénédict love each other in spite of the mutual loathing they show off.

Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Gianluca Ciriaci
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Gianluca Ciriaci

Symbolic elements

The production makes extensive use of symbolic images. “These elements try to tell the psychology of love and how this is lived variedly,” says Fantin. “We have the butterflies symbolizing Béatrice and Bénédict, captured by the choir and put in a display case losing their liberty. There is the ”dream house” made of tulle, similar to a butterfly net, in which Héro and Claudio get married and which domestic warmth also attracts Béatrice and Bénédict. The mattress representing the marital bed, which, like the entire room, will split in two as two worlds that cannot be united.”

Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Gianluca Ciriaci
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Gianluca Ciriaci

As a metaphor of primordial love, the forest is the environment in which Béatrice and Bénédict discover their love, which is instinctive, free from morality and societal expectations. “The forest is installed on a net. The net will then flip in audience sight and destroy this natural environment while putting Béatrice and Bénédict in a cage. Adam and Eve will be forced to get dressed as bride and groom and put into two display cases precisely like the butterflies.”

In the end, the couple will surrender to the experiment and get married; nonetheless, they will pronounce the sentence “tomorrow we will be enemies again”. At that moment, they destroy the audiotapes and take the butterflies out of the cases. As they are in their hands, the butterflies beat their wings again.

Béatrice et Bénédict is produced by Opéra de Lyon and broadcast on France Télévisions.

Set design Paolo-Fantin-Damiano-Michieletto-Beatrice-et-Benedict-Blandine-Soulage-01110
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict  | Dir. Damiano Michieletto  | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Gianluca Ciriaci
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Gianluca Ciriaci
Set design Paolo-Fantin-Damiano-Michieletto-Beatrice-et-Benedict-Blandine-Soulage-01102
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict  | Dir. Damiano Michieletto  | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict  | Dir. Damiano Michieletto  | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Set design Paolo-Fantin-Damiano-Michieletto-Beatrice-et-Benedict-Blandine-Soulage-01100.jpg
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict  | Dir. Damiano Michieletto  | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict  | Dir. Damiano Michieletto  | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict  | Dir. Damiano Michieletto  | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Gianluca Ciriaci
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Gianluca Ciriaci
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict  | Dir. Damiano Michieletto  | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict  | Dir. Damiano Michieletto  | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict  | Dir. Damiano Michieletto  | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict  | Dir. Damiano Michieletto  | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Blandine Soulage
Set design Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Gianluca Ciriaci
Paolo Fantin, Béatrice et Bénédict | Dir. Damiano Michieletto | Photo © Gianluca Ciriaci
Previous
Next

Subscribe to our newsletters

Share this

Follow us

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
Martin Zehetgruber, Manon Lescaut | © Bernd Uhlig

Martin Zehetgruber, Manon Lescaut

Sila Sveta Pygmalion

Sila Sveta, Pygmalion

Klaus Grünberg Macbeth M. Rittershaus

Klaus Grünberg, Macbeth

Facebook-f Twitter Instagram

Follow uS

© 2023 Scenography Today. All rights reserved.

  • Contact
  • About
Menu
  • Contact
  • About
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
elementorneverThis cookie is used by the website's WordPress theme. It allows the website owner to implement or change the website's content in real-time.
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
CookieDurationDescription
_ga2 yearsThe _ga cookie, installed by Google Analytics, calculates visitor, session and campaign data and also keeps track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognize unique visitors.
_gat_gtag_UA_86839159_11 minuteSet by Google to distinguish users.
_gid1 dayInstalled by Google Analytics, _gid cookie stores information on how visitors use a website, while also creating an analytics report of the website's performance. Some of the data that are collected include the number of visitors, their source, and the pages they visit anonymously.
CONSENT2 yearsYouTube sets this cookie via embedded youtube-videos and registers anonymous statistical data.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
CookieDurationDescription
VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE5 months 27 daysA cookie set by YouTube to measure bandwidth that determines whether the user gets the new or old player interface.
YSCsessionYSC cookie is set by Youtube and is used to track the views of embedded videos on Youtube pages.
yt-remote-connected-devicesneverYouTube sets this cookie to store the video preferences of the user using embedded YouTube video.
yt-remote-device-idneverYouTube sets this cookie to store the video preferences of the user using embedded YouTube video.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Powered by CookieYes Logo
  • Front Page
  • Design
  • Interviews
  • Exhibitions
  • Academia
Menu
  • Front Page
  • Design
  • Interviews
  • Exhibitions
  • Academia
  • Contact
  • About
  • Submit your content
Menu
  • Contact
  • About
  • Submit your content
  • UNITA For Future
Menu
  • UNITA For Future
Search
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter