Set design for Carmen at Sadler's Wells
Design
1939 (made)
1939 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This set design is by Morris Kestelman (1905-1998) for Act I of Bizet's opera Carmen, a square in Seville outside the tobacco factory. Kestelman was commissioned by Tyrone Guthrie in 1939 to design both sets and costumes for the production at Sadler's Wells Theatre which Guthrie ran. Carmen opened in February 1940, one of several operas that were performed in repertory at Sadler's Wells during 1939 and 1940. It was a struggle to continue productions during wartime; staff all accepted salary cuts as high as 50%, and to celebrate the achievement of mounting opera there during wartime, a 'jubilee performance' celebrating the 50th performance of opera since the war began took place at Sadler's Wells on 31st January 1940.
Morris Kestelman (1905-1998) is best known as a painter, but made a significant contribution as a stage designer during the 1940s when he also designed Tabbaro and Gianni Schicchi for Sadler's Wells, and Richard III, The Alchemist and Doctor Faustus for the Old Vic.
Morris Kestelman (1905-1998) is best known as a painter, but made a significant contribution as a stage designer during the 1940s when he also designed Tabbaro and Gianni Schicchi for Sadler's Wells, and Richard III, The Alchemist and Doctor Faustus for the Old Vic.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Set design for Carmen at Sadler's Wells (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Gouache and watercolour on cartridge paper |
| Brief description | Set design for Act 1 of Bizet's opera Carmen, Sadler's Wells Theatre, 10 February 1940. Watercolour and gouache by Morris Kestelman (1905-1998). |
| Physical description | Watercolour and gouache design showing the whole stage, a street scene with a view of Seville through an archway centre stage, the front of the tobacco factory stage left with the sign 'FABRICA DE TABACOS', and a street vendor's stall downstage left with a red awning. There is a male figure sitting at a grinding wheel downstage left. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions |
|
| Object history | Design for Act 1 of Bizet's opera Carmen, a square in Seville outside the tobacco factory. Commissioned by Tyrone Guthrie for a production at Sadler's Wells Theatre, part of the 1939/1940 repertory season of opera there. |
| Summary | This set design is by Morris Kestelman (1905-1998) for Act I of Bizet's opera Carmen, a square in Seville outside the tobacco factory. Kestelman was commissioned by Tyrone Guthrie in 1939 to design both sets and costumes for the production at Sadler's Wells Theatre which Guthrie ran. Carmen opened in February 1940, one of several operas that were performed in repertory at Sadler's Wells during 1939 and 1940. It was a struggle to continue productions during wartime; staff all accepted salary cuts as high as 50%, and to celebrate the achievement of mounting opera there during wartime, a 'jubilee performance' celebrating the 50th performance of opera since the war began took place at Sadler's Wells on 31st January 1940. Morris Kestelman (1905-1998) is best known as a painter, but made a significant contribution as a stage designer during the 1940s when he also designed Tabbaro and Gianni Schicchi for Sadler's Wells, and Richard III, The Alchemist and Doctor Faustus for the Old Vic. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.58-2005 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | April 22, 2005 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSON
