The Magic Flute premiered at Helikon Opera
The Magic Flute by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart premiered at Helikon Opera with Sergey Kuznetsov, the chief architect of the Russian capital, being its artistic director for the first time. A scenic and dynamic set was designed in collaboration with the architect Agnia Sterligova.
The magical story of Mozart’s opera with libretto by Schikaneder is played out on the background of a real amusement park. The curtain in watercolors, which has become the playbill of the play, one can easily recognize Sergey Kuznetsov’s artistic style.
«It is not a coincidence that this production goes along with the children’s version. When we painted and designed the set, we pursued the idea that deep down every adult is a child. So, we tried to create something that would be easily understood, perceived and recognized as a child’s impression, not a naive and superficial one, but a deep and intense impression that will leave a mark in minds and will cause associations. The visual picture is very colorful, extravagant, sometimes bordering on kitsch, but at the same time, it says things that we can all relate to. We tried to stay within the style of the theater, be on the same page with its productions, not to stand out, not to do something that does not belong on this stage. We tried to stay close to it. And I think we made it,» said Sergey Kuznetsov before the premiere.
He admitted that he might participate in more of similar projects in the future. «It depends on the invitations: if there are requests, I will be happy to participate. I have my main job too, of course. I’m not ready to dive into a new profession yet and quit everything and become an artist. I am interested in the artistic side of any project, I paint and draw, and collect interesting objects, now there is the theater project. There will probably be something else, maybe a film project,» added Kuznetsov.
«The chief architect of Moscow Sergey Kuznetsov and I were the set designers of the opera The Magic Flute, one of the most popular operas in the world, which certainly added excitement to the work of the creative team. It seems that during this year we have considered about three options. It was an ongoing exchange of references, images, sketches, and links to our favorite productions,» said Agnia Sterligova, head of Planet 9.
This is not her first production. Last year Agnia designed the set for the play The Bright Way. 1917 at the Chekhov Moscow Art Theater, and this year she has already done some work for the play Glory.
