Costume Design
Costume Design
1966 (drawn)
1966 (drawn)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Peter Rice (1928-2015) was one of the leading British theatre designers of the second half of the 20th century. He has designed settings and costumes for the major British ballet, opera and theatre companies and is particularly noted for his work at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden; the Old Vic and Glyndebourne. He frequently worked with director William Chappell and in 1966 they collaborated on the premiere of Malcolm Williamson's opera, The Violins of Saint-Jacques, for which Chappell also wrote the libretto.
Adapted from the novel by Patrick Leigh Fermor, itself inspired by historical events, the opera takes place on a Caribbean island in 1902. Its story of tangled love affairs amongst a community of French aristocrats is set against a background of voodoo, and ends with a volcanic eruption which destroys the island. Rice's designs for the costumes are good examples of his detailed naturalistic style. Much of the action takes place at a Marde Gras ball. This design is for a guest, danced by Ann Harrison.
Adapted from the novel by Patrick Leigh Fermor, itself inspired by historical events, the opera takes place on a Caribbean island in 1902. Its story of tangled love affairs amongst a community of French aristocrats is set against a background of voodoo, and ends with a volcanic eruption which destroys the island. Rice's designs for the costumes are good examples of his detailed naturalistic style. Much of the action takes place at a Marde Gras ball. This design is for a guest, danced by Ann Harrison.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Costume Design (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Paint, ink and crayon on brown paper. |
| Brief description | Costume design by Peter Rice for a Guest in Malcolm Williamson's opera, The Violins of Saint-Jacques, Sadler's Wells 1966 |
| Physical description | Full length female figure wearing a yellow evening dress with black feather collar, yellow and brown striped panniers, green and brown checked bustle and brown underskirt. She wears a white feathered headdress and carries a black fan. Design drawn on brown paper and stuck onto a larger piece of white card. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Given by Patricia Fara in memory of Stephen and Helen Fenlaugh |
| Object history | Costume designed for The Violins of Saint-Jacques, an opera by Australian composer Malcolm Williamson (libretto by William Chappell), produced at Sadler's Wells, London, on 29 November 1966. This is a design for a Guest, played by the dancer Ann Harrison. Images of further designs for this production, along with reviews and the full theatre programme can be seen in The Violins of Saint-Jacques production file at the Theatre Collection Archive at Blythe House. |
| Literary reference | <i>The Violins of Saint-Jacques</i> |
| Summary | Peter Rice (1928-2015) was one of the leading British theatre designers of the second half of the 20th century. He has designed settings and costumes for the major British ballet, opera and theatre companies and is particularly noted for his work at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden; the Old Vic and Glyndebourne. He frequently worked with director William Chappell and in 1966 they collaborated on the premiere of Malcolm Williamson's opera, The Violins of Saint-Jacques, for which Chappell also wrote the libretto. Adapted from the novel by Patrick Leigh Fermor, itself inspired by historical events, the opera takes place on a Caribbean island in 1902. Its story of tangled love affairs amongst a community of French aristocrats is set against a background of voodoo, and ends with a volcanic eruption which destroys the island. Rice's designs for the costumes are good examples of his detailed naturalistic style. Much of the action takes place at a Marde Gras ball. This design is for a guest, danced by Ann Harrison. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.69-2007 |
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| Record created | April 24, 2009 |
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