Costume Design
Costume Design
1965 (painted)
1965 (painted)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Alix Stone (1913-2010) began her career as assistant to some of the best known stage designers of the mid 20th century, including Motley, Rex Whistler, John Piper, Tanya Moiseiwitsch and Leslie Hurry. As a set and costume designer she worked extensively for major British opera companies, notably for Sadler's Wells Opera (which became English National Opera in 1968).
Richard Rodney Bennett's first full-length opera The Mines of Sulphur (1965) is an eerie tale set in the 18th century. Braxton, a lord, is murdered for his wealth by an army deserter, aided by an old tramp and Braxton's mistress, now the deserter's lover. As they celebrate in their victim's decaying manor house, a mysterious troupe of actors arrive and entertain the thieves with a play, The Mines of Sulphur. The play's events mirror the crime and the actors are revealed as supernatural agents of retribution.
Rosalind is Braxton's mistress. Alix Stone's design for the character gives the intended effect but does not provide precise details as these can be worked out later with the costume maker.
Richard Rodney Bennett's first full-length opera The Mines of Sulphur (1965) is an eerie tale set in the 18th century. Braxton, a lord, is murdered for his wealth by an army deserter, aided by an old tramp and Braxton's mistress, now the deserter's lover. As they celebrate in their victim's decaying manor house, a mysterious troupe of actors arrive and entertain the thieves with a play, The Mines of Sulphur. The play's events mirror the crime and the actors are revealed as supernatural agents of retribution.
Rosalind is Braxton's mistress. Alix Stone's design for the character gives the intended effect but does not provide precise details as these can be worked out later with the costume maker.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Costume Design (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Watercolour, crayon, ink, glue and raffia on paper |
| Brief description | Costume design by Alix Stone for Rosalind in Richard Rodney Bennett's opera The Mines of Sulphur, Sadler's Wells Opera, Sadler's Wells, 1965 |
| Physical description | Full length female figure in burnt orange rustic dress with white ragged underskirt and blouse under bodice. The design is also shown in profile uncoloured. It is painted on to an ink-washed background and uses pen and ink for detailing, crayon for shadow and glue for a texture effect and for sticking paper and rafia pieces on to dress. The design is pasted on to a piece of thin white card. Overleaf are handwritten notes on costume construction details and measurements in pencil and blue ink. |
| 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 design by Alix Stone for Rosalind in The Mines of Sulphur, an opera by Richard Rodney Bennett with a libretto by Beverley Cross, performed by Sadler's Wells Opera, premiering on 24 February, 1965, at Sadler's Wells. The production was conducted by Colin Davis. Rosalind was sung by Joyce Blackham. |
| Literary reference | <i>The Mines of Sulphur</i> |
| Summary | Alix Stone (1913-2010) began her career as assistant to some of the best known stage designers of the mid 20th century, including Motley, Rex Whistler, John Piper, Tanya Moiseiwitsch and Leslie Hurry. As a set and costume designer she worked extensively for major British opera companies, notably for Sadler's Wells Opera (which became English National Opera in 1968). Richard Rodney Bennett's first full-length opera The Mines of Sulphur (1965) is an eerie tale set in the 18th century. Braxton, a lord, is murdered for his wealth by an army deserter, aided by an old tramp and Braxton's mistress, now the deserter's lover. As they celebrate in their victim's decaying manor house, a mysterious troupe of actors arrive and entertain the thieves with a play, The Mines of Sulphur. The play's events mirror the crime and the actors are revealed as supernatural agents of retribution. Rosalind is Braxton's mistress. Alix Stone's design for the character gives the intended effect but does not provide precise details as these can be worked out later with the costume maker. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.72-2007 |
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| Record created | April 17, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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