Not currently on display at the V&A

Andrea Chenier

Design
1959 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Design for the set in a scene from a production of Andrea Chenier, created by Leslie Hurry, 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 the set in a scene from a production of Andrea Chenier, created by Leslie Hurry, 1959
Physical description
Design for the set in a scene from a production of Andrea Chenier, created by Leslie Hurry, 1959.

The landscape in shows the interior of a room edged with a series of tall, curved windows, stone floor and crimson walls. There is a raised dais on the left hand side with a crimson throne at its centre and two hanging flags positioned above it.
Dimensions
  • Height: 37.9cm
  • Width: 50cm (Note: approximate)
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'Tribunal[?] Andrea Chenier' (Handwritten annotation in paint, bottom left hand corner.)
  • 'Lesley Hurry' (Handwritten annotation in ink, bottom right hand corner.)
Credit line
Given by Mrs Caro Rathbone
Literary referenceAndrea Chenier
Summary
Design for the set in a scene from a production of Andrea Chenier, created by Leslie Hurry, 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.1883-2014

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Record createdAugust 26, 2014
Record URL
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