Drawing at the Opera. Settings, Evocations and Visual Imagery in the Stage Backdrops of Operas

Abstract

Opera can be regarded as a total work of art, one of the most multidisciplinary and multimedia forms of performance. In opera, the stage production takes the form of a true artistic synaesthesia, where the languages of music, drama, dance, poetry and the visual arts converge. The latter define the aesthetics of the performance through set design, staging, lighting, make-up and costumes. In the staging of opera librettos, a crucial role is played by images: whether painted or projected, they evoke settings, suggest emotions and stimulate associations, facilitating an understanding of the plot and immersing the audience in the narrative.
Despite the evolution of stagecraft –which has seen the rise of sculptural elements and three-dimensional architecture– drawing and two-dimensional images retain an absolute centrality. Today, however, the tradition is evolving towards digital projections, which offer greater creative flexibility and a reduction in production costs.
This article discusses the contribution of drawing to the success of operas, beginning with a presentation of the long-standing tradition of painted backdrops and extending to an exploration of the most advanced forms of digital projection and rear projection of images onto both opaque and semi-transparent materials, to highlight the relevance of drawing and graphic arts within the performing arts and their ability to adapt to new technologies.