Frank Gehry sketches out ‘Don Giovanni’ for L.A. Phil
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The ideas that Frank Gehry sketches out on paper have a way of turning into big, ambitious projects. Deborah Borda, president of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, keeps one such drawing on her office wall, of a cluster of enigmatic shapes at odd angles. That was an early rendering of Gehry’s plan for what became his landmark Walt Disney Concert Hall.
It’s hard to know exactly what to make of a sketch Gehry has made for the Phil’s upcoming production of Mozart’s opera ‘Don Giovanni’ in May (pictured). What is known is that Mariusz Kwiecien will play the hell-bound anti-hero, and Rodarte sibling designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy will style the costumes for the production, which Gehry will design.
In an unusual mash-up of classical music and architecture, the production will be the first of a planned trilogy of operas that Mozart composed with librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte. Gehry will select the other two architects who will design productions of ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ and ‘Cosi fan tutte’ in subsequent seasons.
We’re still awaiting word on what Gehry’s sketch represents. Meanwhile, anybody want to hazard a guess, or maybe a Rorschach analysis?
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-- Reed Johnson
