A Bold New Il Trovatore: First Production Meeting

The production team for Il Trovatore, Ellen St. Thomas, director, Jean-Francois Revon, scenic designer, Abra Berman, costume designer, Elle Ghini, lighting designer, Gary Quinn, stage manager and technical director, Eileen Meredith, Virago Resident Music Artist and singing the role of Leonora, and Lisa Bush Finn, Virago Resident Choreographer. photo by Laura Lundy-Paine

Today was the first production meeting for Virago Theatre Company's Jan 31-Feb 9th 2014 production of Verdi's opera, Il Trovatore. VERY EXCITING! 

Scenic Designer Jean-Francois Revon had breath-taking renderings of his granite, fortress-like set, with rich images projected onto its center. Ellen loved it. She spoke of a post-apocalyptic war-torn feel. Revon talked about how he'd distress the set to further achieve the look she wants. Watching Revon at work was amazing. . . his awesome software allows him to turn the set 3-D, and show us every possible angle. 

Scenic Designer Jean-Francois Revon with. . . oops, YOU can't see the set yet, are you crazy? 

Director Ellen St. Thomas spoke to us about her vision for a Trovatore, and the juxtaposition of the high social status of the characters set against a war-torn world. 

Costume Designer Abra Berman brought stunning costume pieces for the men, right away we saw flavors of Game of Thrones. . . capes, fur, bejeweled sleeves.  Abra wants to add more metal to the look, which Ellen loved. 

Elle Ghini spoke about the potential effects she can create with lighting to create the look of this world. 

This is a hot team, a talented team. Can't wait until the cast is complete. . . 


Il Trovatore opens 1/31/14 at The Elk's Ballroom in Alameda. www.viragotheatre.org for tickets.