Ariane – London

Opera by Bohuslav Martinů, written in 1958 – presented in a Martinů double bill with Alexandre Bis at the Silk Street Theatre at the Barbican for Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

“Simon Corder’s clever designs and lighting…” – David Nice, The Arts Desk, 1 June 2016

DirectorRodula Gaitanou
Set & LightingSimon Corder
CostumeCordelia Chisholm
ConductorTimothy Redmond
MovementVictoria Newlyn

“Director Rodula Gaitanou updated the piece to the Salle Wagram Ballroom in 1960s Paris, and staged it as a recording, with microphones, sound adjustments, the hustle and bustle of the studio. As a kind of metaoperatic concept, it worked well; there was plenty of dynamism from all members of the cast, in its recreation of a Callas era studio it captured Martinů’s desire for her interest in the work whilst circumventing certain surrealist staging challenges about identity.” – Dominic Lowe, Bachtrack, 1 June 2016

“…director Rodula Gaitanou’s solution seemed to me inventive, indeed more interesting than the original material. Drawing upon the composer’s attested love for the artistry of Maria Callas during his work on the score, she offers a metatheatrical treatment, the excellent designs (Simon Corder and Cordelia Chisholm) drawing upon photographs, particularly by Robert Doisneau and Sabine Weiss, of Callas recording Carmen at the Salle Wagram in 1964, six years after Martinů completed composition. It looks wonderful…” – Mark Berry, Boulezian, 31 May 2016