Not currently on display at the V&A

Andrea Chenier

Design
1959 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Design for a stage costume worn Roucher, a friend of Chenier, in a production of Andrea Chenier, created by Leslie Hurry, 1959. The role was played by the baritone John Heddle Nash (1928-1994).

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 Roucher, a friend of Chenier, in a production of Andrea Chenier, created by Leslie Hurry, 1959
Physical description
Design for a stage costume worn Roucher, a friend of Chenier, in a production of Andrea Chenier, created by Leslie Hurry, 1959.

The design shows a full length image of a male figure in a formal suit. He is dressed in a long, pale brown, cutaway coat, over cream knee length, fall-front breeches and a pale, striped waistcoat. He is carrying a brown top hat in his right hand.
Dimensions
  • Height: 38.8cm
  • Width: 28.8cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'ACT 2 - [crossed out] & J.H.NASH - K Fawcett/ J. MOYLES' (Handwritten annotation in pencil and biro, bottom left hand corner.)
  • 'Roucher' (Handwritten annotation in pencil, bottom right hand side of the design.)
  • 'Leslie Hurry' (Handwritten signature, ink, top right hand corner.)
Credit line
Given by Mrs Caro Rathbone
Literary referenceAndrea Chenier
Summary
Design for a stage costume worn Roucher, a friend of Chenier, in a production of Andrea Chenier, created by Leslie Hurry, 1959. The role was played by the baritone John Heddle Nash (1928-1994).

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.1879-2014

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Record createdAugust 14, 2014
Record URL
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