Friday December 3rd was a day to never forget. After a long and rocky road that took us more than two years, we could finally celebrate the premiere of Bolero / L’heure Espagnole at the Ghent Opera.
For this production I was asked to create a scenography for an opera that would combine two pieces by Ravel. (Originally, the idea was to present Sheherazade instead of the Bolero, but that plan was cancelled due to the Covid pandemic and production difficulties.) Rehearsals started approximately 4 weeks before the premiere, and together with the other members of the artistic team, I took part in the whole creation and rehearsal process – just like I did for the my first production for Opera Ballet Flanders in 2019, BANKET!.
With this scenography, I wanted to create a presence on stage that could both function as an additional character and as a practical means to help those on stage tell the story. As we were approaching the 3d of December, the current COVID wave was entering Europe. Luckily, two out of three planned shows could take place as planned (full capacity) and the last show was for a reduced audience of 200 people.
The opera started off with Bolero. During this monumental piece, the Opera Technicians constructed the set for L’heure Espagnole live. In a tightly rehearsed pattern/choreography, all pieces were slowly but steadily either carried, rolled or hoisted on stage and safely secured to each other. As the music gradually reaches a crescendo, so did the build-up. On the very last note, the last piece was mounted and as the music finished, the stage was ready for L’heure Espagnole. As L’heure Espagnole drew to an end, the audience went wild. Not only the technicians who played an important role came to bow but so did the entire Youth Orchestra Flanders. The last to come to the stage was the full artistic team, including director Tom Goossens, Costume designer Marij De Brabandere, Dramaturgue Lalina Goddard, Light designer Glenn Dhaenens and myself. I am so thankful that I could be a part of this inspiring collaboration!
To see all the pictures click here.
A great review on Radio Klara (Dutch).
Find out more on this piece on Opera Ballet Flanders website.