Renowned opera mastermind Stefano Poda is doing almost everything ― directing, producing, stage designing, costuming and lighting ― except for starring in his upcoming production of Umberto Giordano’s “Andrea Chenier,” which is slated as the Korea National Opera’s 2015 season opener next week.

“Please, just a tiny, tiny splash of painted highlights on the gown ... so light that I can barely even see it,” he said to one of the costume stylists as he desperately tried to explain how miniscule he wanted the gown’s highlights to appear.

Poda, most known for his visually striking, conceptual opera productions, is completely hands-on in his first-ever production in Asia.
 

“See this corset? It has an iron breast plate, it’s heavy and uncomfortable, but it is historically accurate to the repertoire,” the Italian explained to this reporter, during an interview on Wednesday. “All these little, beautiful details are imperative and help contribute to the quality of the overall production. I’m trying to be historically sound, but also incorporate my own contemporary and modern flare to the show.”

Set in the political upheavals of the French Revolution during the reign of King Louis XVI, “Andrea Chenier” is a four-act verismo opera loosely based on the life of the namesake French poet.

“Although this opera does emphasize the life and works of the renowned French poet, the storyline goes beyond the main character. It’s a period piece about the country’s history and political struggle all told through the beautiful and poetic messages of the opera’s original score,” he explained.

So from the elaborate costume and stage designs that attempt to visually recreate this historical time period to choreography, the director is putting a lot of effort into every aspect of the show to ensure that the piece is not simply a clash of tradition and modern, but is visually and vocally stimulating enough to transcend all sensory levels.

Although the director was “excited” to discover how a classic Italian opera about a French poet would mesh with the cultural clashes of Korean performers as well as the viewers, his focus was clearly not on helping the audience understand the piece.

Rather, he wants his audience to just “feel,” not try to understand and comprehend every aspect of the opera.

“You don’t need to understand the lyrics and thoroughly follow the storyline of the opera to be emotionally moved by the piece.”

“This opera is meant to give people a moment of reflection,” the director went on. “I actually think it’s better that you leave the show and think, ‘I have no idea what they were singing about. This way you can spend more time thinking about how you felt emotionally, rather than intellectually.”

“Our current society is overly superficial, because we have access to too much information,” he said. “To me, the notion of people having this need and desire to overunderstand something is detrimental to not only society, but to art.”

Opera is a combination of all the arts, Poda stressed.

“It’s not just about the music. It’s about what you hear, what you see and what you feel.”

Whether already a devoted opera lover, or a complete novice, the KNO’s upcoming production is truly meant to showcase the poetic valor of ambiguity.

“Andrea Chenier” will be staged from March 12-15 at the Seoul Arts Center’s Opera Theater. Ticket prices range from 10,000 won to 150,000 won and can be purchased online at interpark.com.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)