Costume Design
1981 (painted)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
David Walker (1934-2008) studied design at the Central School of Art under Jeanetta Cochrane from whom he learned the importance of a thorough knowledge of historical dress. He began his career as a costume cutter at Glyndebourne, then worked principally as a costume designer, first for Joan Littlewood's Liverpool Theatre Workshop and Theatre Workshop, Stratford East, in 1960, later at the Royal Court Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal Ballet. He became one of the world's leading designers, especially acclaimed for opera and ballet, creating productions for every major opera house and ballet company. Walker's skill lay in the interpreting of historic dress in theatrical terms, working in a highly imaginative way with fabrics and trimmings while remaining true to the period in which the production was set. His designs are works of art in their own right as well as guides to the costumiers.
Handel's 1742 opera Semele is based on Greek myth. Semele is the human lover of the god, Jupiter, who appears to her in mortal form. Juno, furious at her husband's infidelity, visits Semele is disguise and convinces the girl that she will gain immortality if she sees Jupiter as his true self, the mightly god of thunder. Reluctantly, Jupiter agrees to her request and Semele perishes in flames.
The Royal Opera House production in 1982 celebrated the 250th anniversary of the building of a theatre on the Covent Garden site. It was the first time that Semele had been staged at Covent Garden since 1744, when it was given 'in the Manner of an Oratorio' at the first Covent Garden Theatre. The 1982 production was directed by John Copley and conducted by Charles Mackerras with sets by Henry Bardon and costumes by David Walker. Valerie Masterson sang Semele and Kathleen Kuhlmann Juno. Walker's designs are based on the 18th-century theatre's idea of classical dress. His sumptuous design for Juno shows the goddess's imperious character as well as her costume. The purples, blues and greens are the colours of the peacock, traditional symbol of Juno.
Handel's 1742 opera Semele is based on Greek myth. Semele is the human lover of the god, Jupiter, who appears to her in mortal form. Juno, furious at her husband's infidelity, visits Semele is disguise and convinces the girl that she will gain immortality if she sees Jupiter as his true self, the mightly god of thunder. Reluctantly, Jupiter agrees to her request and Semele perishes in flames.
The Royal Opera House production in 1982 celebrated the 250th anniversary of the building of a theatre on the Covent Garden site. It was the first time that Semele had been staged at Covent Garden since 1744, when it was given 'in the Manner of an Oratorio' at the first Covent Garden Theatre. The 1982 production was directed by John Copley and conducted by Charles Mackerras with sets by Henry Bardon and costumes by David Walker. Valerie Masterson sang Semele and Kathleen Kuhlmann Juno. Walker's designs are based on the 18th-century theatre's idea of classical dress. His sumptuous design for Juno shows the goddess's imperious character as well as her costume. The purples, blues and greens are the colours of the peacock, traditional symbol of Juno.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Ink, pencil, wash and gouache on paper |
| Brief description | Costume design by David Walker for Juno in Handel's opera Semele, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 1982 |
| Physical description | Trompe d'oeil design showing a full-length figure of a woman in an elaborate 18th-century 'classical' dress.in shades of green and purple. She wears a tiara with a billowing veil and holds a sceptre. To left two female figures, one full-length viewed from the back, the other a sketchy figure viewed in profile, the whole drawn as if on a sheet of paper with curling edges. At top left a baroque jewel partially hidden by the 'paper' of the costume design. To right a half-length female figure in a similar dress in gold and at top right a classical mask, both drawn as if on separate pieces of paper. At bottom right a shoe. Signed and dated. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | David Walker 1981 (signature) |
| Gallery label | 11
Costume design for Semele
1982
For the costume maker interpreting the costume design
is an art in itself. David Walker’s design almost comes
to life, communicating the shape, texture and colour
needed for the character of Juno in Handel’s opera
Semele.
Opera by George Frideric Handel, 1742
Royal Opera House, London
Paper, pen, pencil, wash and gouache
Designed by David Walker (1934–2008)
Museum no. S.2256-1994
(March 2009-September 2013) |
| Object history | Costume design by David Walker for Juno in Handel's opera, Semele, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 1982. The production was directed by John Copley and conducted by Charles Mackerras with sets by Henry Bardon and costumes by David Walker. Kathleen Kuhlmann sang Juno. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Literary reference | Semele, by Handel (opera) |
| Summary | David Walker (1934-2008) studied design at the Central School of Art under Jeanetta Cochrane from whom he learned the importance of a thorough knowledge of historical dress. He began his career as a costume cutter at Glyndebourne, then worked principally as a costume designer, first for Joan Littlewood's Liverpool Theatre Workshop and Theatre Workshop, Stratford East, in 1960, later at the Royal Court Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal Ballet. He became one of the world's leading designers, especially acclaimed for opera and ballet, creating productions for every major opera house and ballet company. Walker's skill lay in the interpreting of historic dress in theatrical terms, working in a highly imaginative way with fabrics and trimmings while remaining true to the period in which the production was set. His designs are works of art in their own right as well as guides to the costumiers. Handel's 1742 opera Semele is based on Greek myth. Semele is the human lover of the god, Jupiter, who appears to her in mortal form. Juno, furious at her husband's infidelity, visits Semele is disguise and convinces the girl that she will gain immortality if she sees Jupiter as his true self, the mightly god of thunder. Reluctantly, Jupiter agrees to her request and Semele perishes in flames. The Royal Opera House production in 1982 celebrated the 250th anniversary of the building of a theatre on the Covent Garden site. It was the first time that Semele had been staged at Covent Garden since 1744, when it was given 'in the Manner of an Oratorio' at the first Covent Garden Theatre. The 1982 production was directed by John Copley and conducted by Charles Mackerras with sets by Henry Bardon and costumes by David Walker. Valerie Masterson sang Semele and Kathleen Kuhlmann Juno. Walker's designs are based on the 18th-century theatre's idea of classical dress. His sumptuous design for Juno shows the goddess's imperious character as well as her costume. The purples, blues and greens are the colours of the peacock, traditional symbol of Juno. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.2256-1994 |
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| Record created | August 15, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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