Hans Dieter Schaal, Stage Architecture 20012021 / Buhnenarchitektur 20012021

Opera is an artificial work of art that touches us throughout the ages. Stage designers play a crucial role in making the visual and sound dimensions of an opera tangible for the audience. Hans Dieter Schaal, a German stage designer, has created stage settings that have a lasting effect due to their visual power. His works have found an audience far beyond his home country, and this book covers his works from 2001 to 2021.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 01 January 2023
Publisher: Edition Axel Menges

Opera, a captivating art form, may seem distant from our everyday lives, but it holds a profound connection that spans centuries. While it may appear artificial, opera incorporates elements of reality, condensed and transformed to touch our hearts and minds. When we attend opera performances, we become companions of legendary figures such as Orpheus in Monteverdi's L Orfeo, mourning the loss of his beloved Eurydice. Through this artistic journey, we empathize with their struggles and joys, drawing parallels to our own lives. To bring opera to life, a close collaboration between dramaturges, actors, singers, dancers, directors, stage designers, and technicians is essential. Stage designers, in particular, play a pivotal role in creating the visual and sound dimensions that captivate audiences.

One such stage designer is Hans Dieter Schaal, whose work has left an indelible mark on German and international theatre venues. His stage settings, characterized by their visual power, have a lasting impact on audiences, often remaining in their memories long after the performance. Schaal's meticulous attention to detail and his ability to invent images that evoke emotions and enhance the narrative make him a master of his craft.

This captivating book, the first volume dedicated to his works from 2001 to 2021, showcases Schaal's stage settings in all their glory. With an abundance of large-format photographs and design drawings, as well as detailed texts written by Schaal himself, the book offers a deep insight into his creative process. It reveals the intensity with which he approaches each work, creating images that are both visually stunning and emotionally resonant.

Opera, with its artificiality and reality, has the power to transport us to new worlds and evoke emotions we may have never experienced before. By attending opera performances and engaging with the art form, we become companions of legendary figures, drawing parallels to our own lives and gaining a deeper understanding of the human condition. Through the work of stage designers like Hans Dieter Schaal, we are able to witness the magic of opera come to life, creating a lasting impact on our hearts and minds.

Dimension: 297 x 5 x 242 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783869050300