"Le Chanteur de Mexico" Opéra-Théâtre de Metz – Metz, France
- Customer
Metz Opera House
- Place
Metz, France
- Set design
Hernán Peñuela
We were involved in the creation of the new production of Francis Lopez’s operetta *Le Chanteur de Mexico*, which will be performed at the Opéra de Metz in 2025. This highly symbolic work tells the story of the joyful and unexpected rise of Vincent Etchebar, a young Basque man who became an opera star in Mexico, set against a festive backdrop with Latin American influences.
The set designer, Hernan Penuela, gave us great freedom in the design and trimmings of the burgundy ALICANTE velvet curtains. Using his sketches, as well as via video conference and remote communication, we worked alongside our seamstresses to oversee the development of the project, with the aim of creating a rich, colourful stage design that remains true to the spirit of this operetta.
Statement by the set designer
“I am a qualified architect and set designer. I have worked in various design studios, set-building workshops and as technical director at several French theatres (Comédie Française, Théâtre du Châtelet, Théâtre du Capitole, Opéra-Comique). At the same time, I develop my own set designs. The Opéra-Théâtre de Metz has commissioned me to design the sets for the new production of ‘Le Chanteur de Mexico’ in 2024.
The idea was to create atmospheric set designs that invite the audience to embark on a journey – whilst remaining faithful to the work, but with a fresh, cheerful and colourful perspective. I drew inspiration from travel posters of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s … by ocean liners and transatlantic aeroplanes, exotic destinations across the Atlantic, rich colour palettes and bold graphic design. This gave rise to a touch of nostalgia and a longing for faraway places, which the audience would certainly sense in the visual design.
Another major influence was the film studios behind the great musical productions of the 1940s and 1950s. The action took place during a film shoot, amidst painted set frames, bespoke velvet curtains, escalators and platforms, old-style painted screens, cameras, dressing rooms filled with costumes, scaffolding and spotlights on trolleys. This dynamic and fluid world made it possible to transition seamlessly from one scene to the next.
The scenes set in Mexico in Act 2 hold a special place in my heart, partly because of my South American roots, but also because of the subdued atmosphere of the tavern scene, with its beautiful red velvet curtains and candles, which was freely inspired by the Mexican tradition of ‘Día de los Muertos’.
This is one of my most wonderful artistic collaborations.”
Project
- Supply of 2 curtain panels with a border in burgundy ALICANTE velvet, 3.53 m wide + 50% extra length, 7.20 m high, with curtain tiebacks in gold SHINE fabric
- Supply of a valance with a border in burgundy ALICANTE velvet, 9.00 m wide and 3.50 m high
Team
- Set design: Hernán Peñuela
- Director: Pablo Proporciona
- Musical Director: Victor Rouanet
- Choreography: Graham Erhardt-Kotowich
- Costumes: Giovanna Fiorentini
- Lighting and photography: Patrick Méeüs
- Vocal accompaniment: Silvia Magagni
