A stage design project for Paul Hindemith’s opera «Cardillac» was developed for the Rostov State Music Theatre as part of an initiative designed to introduce audiences to the work of outstanding global composers.
The Rostov Musical Theater is a suitable venue for staging «Cardillac» due to its rich historical tradition and experience with large-scale, complex musical works. The modern technical equipment of the stage and the high professional level of the ensemble allow for the realization of expressive scenography and deep operatic drama. Furthermore, the theater is focused on combining classical and innovative repertoire, making it an appropriate space for staging a work with a vibrant psychological and artistic concept.
Concept
The scenography design for Paul Hindemith’s opera «Cardillac» embodies the concept of the mad genius through a system of rotating circles and terrifying jewel mannequins, creating a metaphor for the internal chaos and destructive power of his mind.
The goal of the project was to create a contemporary scenic design solution that reimagines a 20th-century work, making it more accessible and expressive for a modern audience.
The primary objective was to develop a cohesive artistic concept for the production, capable of visually articulating the central theme of the work—the figure of the brilliant yet obsessed jeweler Cardillac and the destructive power of his passion for his own creations. The project’s mission was to forge a distinctive theatrical environment that reflects the protagonist’s psychological state and amplifies the opera’s drama through space, form, and visual imagery.
The resulting work formed a complete visual package for the performance, which included the staging concept, set sketches, scenography models, props elements, costume designs, and the graphic design for the poster. This allowed for the creation of a cohesive artistic space for the production and provided a clear visual representation of the play’s future stage image.
Scenography
Set Placement Plan for the Theater’s Main Stage
At the center of the stage is a giant mechanism of rotating circles, symbolizing the endless whirlwind of the main character’s thoughts. These circles move in different directions—sometimes synchronously, sometimes chaotically—reflecting the interplay between the rational and the irrational in his mind and creating an illusion of disorientation and loss of control.
Scenography Mockup
At the center of the stage is a colossal mechanism of rotating circles, symbolizing the endless vortex of the protagonist’s thoughts. These circles move in various directions—sometimes in sync, sometimes chaotically—reflecting the entanglement of the rational and irrational in his mind and creating the illusion of disorientation and loss of control.
The mockup is rendered at a 1:20 scale.
Costume design
The costume sketches are rendered in a black-and-red color palette, incorporating elements of Victorian style and decorative details to create a historical and theatrical aesthetic. Special emphasis has been placed on metallic components and jewelry.
Props
For the project, handmade props were created using theatrical simulation techniques.
XVI-century dagger. Paper mache, wood carving, toning, imitation of scimitar steel and mahogany.
19th-Century Revolver. Papier-mâché, wood carving, staining, imitation metal, wood, and embossing.
Monstrous arm—mannequin. Tinted plaster, a cast of a real specimen
Posters
