The exhibition chosen to open the new Sainsbury Gallery at the
V&A may not be the obvious choice, but when you step into this immersive
exhibition you understand the great potential of the space. It takes you
through centuries of opera by focusing in on specific productions and the
cities in which they were premiered, fitting the art form into its wider
historical context and demonstrating that it is not just a product of the time,
but also a catalyst for change.
We begin in seventeenth century Venice with Monteverdi’s L’Incoronazione di Poppea and end with
Shostakovich’s Lady Macbeth in Mtensk in
Leningrad and the impact of Stalinist suppression, stopping along the way in
decadent Paris and battle-torn Milan. Each section has a distinct look to it
that sets the location and feel of the subject. In Handel’s London we are
treated to a working replica of a Baroque stage, in Milan there are signs of
war but also a display by Matthias Schaller of 150 of Italy’s opera houses,
reminding us just what an integral role opera plays in their culture.
There are treasures aplenty – costume designs by Dali, a Rodin sculpture
of John the Baptist’s head in the Salome section,
and a Degas to name but a few. The Degas is accompanied by a caption explaining
why the ballet traditionally appears in Act Three – it was the custom for male
patrons to take advantage of the dancers before sauntering into the auditorium
after the interval. When an opera decided to put the ballet in Act One there
was outrage. Snippets such as these give a more intimate glance behind the
scenes of the opera.
On entering, visitors are handed what initially appears to be an
audio guide but proves to be a beautiful soundscape that automatically changes
according to where you are in the exhibition. This combined with the expertly
designed space leads you to feel transported through time and place as you
travel through the history of opera. Even if you’re not much of an opera fan
there’s plenty to get your teeth stuck into here. Quite pricey at £21 a ticket,
but absolutely worth every penny.
Opera: Passion, Power and Politics is on until 25 February 2018. For
more details, visit the V&A website.
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