Tristan und Isolde, an opera. 6 original set designs by the noted American artist Robert Perdziola (born 1961), two dated April 1983m one signed with the artist's initials, the others unsigned
Three of the designs are in pen and wash and are identified by the artist as being for Acts I, II and III. Sheet size 305 x 388 mm.
The remaining designs are in pencil and are also identified by the artist as being for Acts I, II, and III, although for different scenes. Sheet size 268 x 355 mm.
Minor wear. In very good condition overall. "The ancient Tristan legend, probably of Celtic origin, achieved its first literary form in the 12th century. The version used by Wagner as the basis for his drama was that of Gottfried von Strassburg (fl1200–20). Wagner conceived the idea of writing an opera on the Tristan subject in the autumn of 1854, but the earliest dated surviving sketch (an elaboration of two fragments) is from 19 December 1856, at which point he was still engaged on Act 1 of Siegfried.
Tristan und Isolde is regarded as a milestone in the history of music, largely on account of its pervasive emancipation of the dissonance. The far-reaching influence of the work in technical terms is matched by the overwhelming effect the extremity of its emotional expression has had on generations of artists in all media. On one level, Tristan is the ultimate glorification of love: ‘a monument to this loveliest of all dreams’, as Wagner put it. But on another level, the work goes beyond emotional experience and enters a metaphysical realm. Human existence and the outer material world of phenomena are ultimately transcended and salvation found in the embrace of the noumena, the ultimate reality." Barry Millington in Grove Music Online
Perdziola, an internationally-recognized set and costume designer for theater, opera, and ballet, has worked extensively throughout the United States at such venues as the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Lyric Theatre of Chicago, American Ballet Theater, Shakespeare Theater in Washington, Boston Ballet, and Miami Ballet, as well as for various Broadway productions. He has also worked internationally for productions at the Monte Carlo Opera, the Niedersächsische Staatsorchester in Hannover, the Garsington Opera in the United Kingdom, the Finnish National Ballet, the Saito Kinen Festival in Japan, and the Sydney Opera House. The artist has received three Helen Hayes awards and a Helpmann award; he has also been nominated for numerous additional awards.
The remaining designs are in pencil and are also identified by the artist as being for Acts I, II, and III, although for different scenes. Sheet size 268 x 355 mm.
Minor wear. In very good condition overall. "The ancient Tristan legend, probably of Celtic origin, achieved its first literary form in the 12th century. The version used by Wagner as the basis for his drama was that of Gottfried von Strassburg (fl1200–20). Wagner conceived the idea of writing an opera on the Tristan subject in the autumn of 1854, but the earliest dated surviving sketch (an elaboration of two fragments) is from 19 December 1856, at which point he was still engaged on Act 1 of Siegfried.
Tristan und Isolde is regarded as a milestone in the history of music, largely on account of its pervasive emancipation of the dissonance. The far-reaching influence of the work in technical terms is matched by the overwhelming effect the extremity of its emotional expression has had on generations of artists in all media. On one level, Tristan is the ultimate glorification of love: ‘a monument to this loveliest of all dreams’, as Wagner put it. But on another level, the work goes beyond emotional experience and enters a metaphysical realm. Human existence and the outer material world of phenomena are ultimately transcended and salvation found in the embrace of the noumena, the ultimate reality." Barry Millington in Grove Music Online
Perdziola, an internationally-recognized set and costume designer for theater, opera, and ballet, has worked extensively throughout the United States at such venues as the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Lyric Theatre of Chicago, American Ballet Theater, Shakespeare Theater in Washington, Boston Ballet, and Miami Ballet, as well as for various Broadway productions. He has also worked internationally for productions at the Monte Carlo Opera, the Niedersächsische Staatsorchester in Hannover, the Garsington Opera in the United Kingdom, the Finnish National Ballet, the Saito Kinen Festival in Japan, and the Sydney Opera House. The artist has received three Helen Hayes awards and a Helpmann award; he has also been nominated for numerous additional awards.