Not currently on display at the V&A

Andrea Chenier

Design
1959 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Design for a stage costume worn by the mezzo-soprano Elizabeth Howarth in an unidentified role. The design was created by Leslie Hurry for a production of <i>Andrea Chenier</i>, 1959 .

Andrea Chenier by Umberto Giordano & Luigi Illica translated by Tom Hammond was produced by Anthony Besch for Sadler's Wells Opera initially at Coventry Theatre on 11 September 1959, and toured before its official premiere Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London on 13 October 1959.

Andrea Chenier was first produced at La Scala, Milan in 1896 but is not frequently performed in Britain. It is based loosely on the life of the French poet, André Chénier (1762-1794), who was executed during the French Revolution. The opera was chosen to open Sadler’s Wells Theatre after the building of a new proscenium arch for the stage and improved acoustics.

A review published in The Times 14th October, 1959, noted that ‘the sets and dresses by Leslie Hurry had the authentic French Revolutionary appearance.’






Object details

Category
Object type
TitleAndrea Chenier (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Black ink, watercolour and pencil drawing
Brief description
Design for a stage costume worn by the mezzo-soprano Elizabeth Howarth in an unidentified role. Created by Leslie Hurry for a production of Andrea Chenier, 1959
Physical description
Design for a stage costume worn by the mezzo-soprano Elizabeth Howarth in an unidentified role. Created by Leslie Hurry for a production of Andrea Chenier, 1959.
The design shows a full length, 3/4 view of a woman in a pale yellow form dress. The dress has a close fitting bodice and a pale blue upper skirt which extends into a train at the rear. The underskirt of the dress is extremely wide, probably supported on 'paniers' or hooped skirts to achieve the mid to late eighteenth century silhouette. She is carrying a closed fan in her right hand.
Dimensions
  • Height: 38.8cm
  • Width: 29cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'MISS HOWARTH/ C.A.' (Handwritten annotation in black biro, bottom left hand corner.)
  • 'Leslie Hurry' (Handwritten signature, base of design)
  • 'Andrea Chenier' (Handwritten annotation in ink rear of the design.)
  • '10 yds overskirt 4 yds underskirt' (Handwritten annotation in biro, on the rear of the design.)
Credit line
Given by Mrs Caro Rathbone
Literary referenceAndrea Chenier
Summary
Design for a stage costume worn by the mezzo-soprano Elizabeth Howarth in an unidentified role. The design was created by Leslie Hurry for a production of <i>Andrea Chenier</i>, 1959 .

Andrea Chenier by Umberto Giordano & Luigi Illica translated by Tom Hammond was produced by Anthony Besch for Sadler's Wells Opera initially at Coventry Theatre on 11 September 1959, and toured before its official premiere Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London on 13 October 1959.

Andrea Chenier was first produced at La Scala, Milan in 1896 but is not frequently performed in Britain. It is based loosely on the life of the French poet, André Chénier (1762-1794), who was executed during the French Revolution. The opera was chosen to open Sadler’s Wells Theatre after the building of a new proscenium arch for the stage and improved acoustics.

A review published in The Times 14th October, 1959, noted that ‘the sets and dresses by Leslie Hurry had the authentic French Revolutionary appearance.’




Collection
Accession number
S.1876-2014

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Record createdAugust 14, 2014
Record URL
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