Set model for Der Rosenkavalier
Set Model
1959 (designed)
1959 (designed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Great Britain’s leading theatre designer from the early 1930s to the mid 1950s, Oliver Messel (1904-1978) won international acclaim for his lavish, painterly and poetic designs informed by period styles. His work spans ballet, drama, film, musical, opera and revue. Messel’s traditional style of theatre design became unfashionable from the mid 1950s onwards, and he increasingly concentrated on painting, interior and textile design, including designing luxury homes in the Caribbean.
Der Rosenkavalier, an opera by Richard Strauss (1909-1910), was mounted at Glyndebourne in 1959 in tribute to Carl Ebert, who retired that year after 25 years as the director of Glyndebourne. The production received criticism for the small stage overcrowded with performers and scenery. Set in Vienna during the eighteenth century reign of Empress Maria Theresa, Messel created a lavish rococo fantasy. This was his last production for Glyndebourne.
Messel's set model for Act II, a hall in Faninal's house, designed in sumptuous rococo style, shows his flair for creating a painterly and poetic pastiche of period style, and his affinity for eighteenth century art and design. The chandelier made from acetate painted white and covered in sequins is an example of his inventive use of materials.
Der Rosenkavalier, an opera by Richard Strauss (1909-1910), was mounted at Glyndebourne in 1959 in tribute to Carl Ebert, who retired that year after 25 years as the director of Glyndebourne. The production received criticism for the small stage overcrowded with performers and scenery. Set in Vienna during the eighteenth century reign of Empress Maria Theresa, Messel created a lavish rococo fantasy. This was his last production for Glyndebourne.
Messel's set model for Act II, a hall in Faninal's house, designed in sumptuous rococo style, shows his flair for creating a painterly and poetic pastiche of period style, and his affinity for eighteenth century art and design. The chandelier made from acetate painted white and covered in sequins is an example of his inventive use of materials.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Set model for Der Rosenkavalier (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Wood, cardboard, fabric, and paint. |
| Brief description | Set model by Oliver Messel for a Hall in the House of Faninal, Act II of Richard Strauss's opera Der Rosenkavalier, Glyndebourne 1959. |
| Physical description | A set model by Oliver Messel for a hall in the house of Faninal, Act II, in a Glyndebourne production of Der Rosenkavalier, 1959. The set model is enclosed in a wooden box which is painted black. False yellow curtain. A set composed of cutcloths and backcloths. A view of an eighteenth century style hall with gilt rococo decoration and painted yellow. A chandelier hangs from above. A large Chinese vase and cabinet on the left. Mirror with rococo gilt frame on the right. At the back of the set, double doors, with candelabra and windows either side. The windows look out on to other rooms. At the right side of the front of the model, a window overlooking the facade of houses. |
| Dimensions |
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| Production type | Model |
| Marks and inscriptions | 'ROSENKAV / ACT II' (Biro inscription on the wooden frame of the box.) |
| Credit line | Acquired with the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Art Fund and the Friends of the V&A |
| Object history | Der Rosenkavalier (1909-1910), an opera in three acts by Richard Strauss with libretto by Hugo von Hofsmannsthal. Oliver Messel’s production was first performed by the Glyndebourne Festival Opera at Glyndebourne on 28 May, 1959. It was directed by Carl Ebert and featured Elisabeth Söderström as Octavian, Regine Crespin as the Marschallin and Anneliese Rothenberger as Sophie. It was revived at Glyndebourne in 1960 and 1965. This was Messel’s last production for Glyndebourne. Lord Snowdon, Oliver Messel's nephew, inherited Messel's theatre designs and other designs and artefacts. The designs were briefly stored in a disused chapel in Kensington Palace before being housed at the V&A from 1981 on indefinite loan. The V&A Theatre Museum purchased the Oliver Messel collection from Lord Snowdon in 2005. Historical significance: Messel worked for Glyndebourne from 1951 to 1959, when he was at the height of his popularity as a designer for the stage. His work for Glyndebourne in this period is regarded as some of his best designs. |
| Production | Reason For Production: Commission |
| Summary | Great Britain’s leading theatre designer from the early 1930s to the mid 1950s, Oliver Messel (1904-1978) won international acclaim for his lavish, painterly and poetic designs informed by period styles. His work spans ballet, drama, film, musical, opera and revue. Messel’s traditional style of theatre design became unfashionable from the mid 1950s onwards, and he increasingly concentrated on painting, interior and textile design, including designing luxury homes in the Caribbean. Der Rosenkavalier, an opera by Richard Strauss (1909-1910), was mounted at Glyndebourne in 1959 in tribute to Carl Ebert, who retired that year after 25 years as the director of Glyndebourne. The production received criticism for the small stage overcrowded with performers and scenery. Set in Vienna during the eighteenth century reign of Empress Maria Theresa, Messel created a lavish rococo fantasy. This was his last production for Glyndebourne. Messel's set model for Act II, a hall in Faninal's house, designed in sumptuous rococo style, shows his flair for creating a painterly and poetic pastiche of period style, and his affinity for eighteenth century art and design. The chandelier made from acetate painted white and covered in sequins is an example of his inventive use of materials. |
| Associated objects |
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| Bibliographic reference | Pinkham, Roger (ed.) Oliver Messel: an exhibition held at the Theatre Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, 22 June - 30 September 1983.
London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1983. 200p., ill
ISBN 0905209508) |
| Other number | ROT 8881 - TM Rotation Number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.207-2006 |
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| Record created | July 21, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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