CONCEPT AND COMMISSION

For the start of the LAUVC502 project I chose the Leeds Opera Festival commission. The aim was to create three images that would represent their productions and then collate an image to represent the festival as a whole. I started to research the stories behind each brief and that gave me more scope on what to think about when creating moodboards and initial ideas.

The Story of "Savitri"

Savitri, wife of woodman Satyavan hears the voice of Death calling to her. He has come to claim her husband. Satyavan arrives to find his wife in distress, but assures her that her fears are just Máyá (an illusion). Even so, at the arrival of Death, all strength leaves Satyavan and he falls to the ground. Savitri, now alone and desolate, welcomes Death. Death, moved to compassion by her greeting offers her a blessing of anything she desires apart from the return of her husband. She asks for life in all its fullest. After Death grants her request, she tells him that life is impossible without her husband. Because of her wisdom, Death was defeated and leaves her. Satyavan then awakens.

The Story of "At The Boar's Head"

The scene is set with conversations between Falstaff and Prince Hal at the Boar's Head Tavern. Bardolph, Gashill and Peto sing and drink upstairs. Falstaff arrives with Prince Hal and Poins, whom Falstaff accuses of cowardice, for not assisting him in an attempted highway robbery earlier that day. Falstaff exaggerates the story, until Prince Hal says that he and Poins had stolen from Falstaff, money that had prior been taken from unarmed travellers.

The Hostess announces the arrival of a gentleman from Court, whereupon Falstaff and the others leave. After Prince Hal delivers a soliloquy (talks to himself out loud), Falstaff and the others return with news that civil war has begun. Falstaff advises Prince Hal to rehearse what he will say to the King before he returns to Court. Prince Hal practices with Falstaff in the role of the King, and later the two trade roles.

Doll Tearsheet arrives, and Prince Hal and Poins put on disguises to be able to observe her and Falstaff's behaviour. Falstaff asks for a song, whereupon the disguised Prince Hal sings Shakespeare's sonnet 19. Falstaff is displeased and interrupts with a ballad, and the two songs continue in parallel. A distant march precedes a communication from Bardolph to Prince Hal, who must go to the Court at Westminster. Prince Hal and Poins remove their disguises and leave to the shouts of the outside crowd.

Pistol calls to Falstaff off-stage, and then enters the inn, in spite of the doubts of Doll and the concern of the Hostess for the inn's reputation. Pistol and Doll argue, and Pistol is thrown out. Bardolph arrives with word that a dozen captains are searching all the taverns for Falstaff. Falstaff says goodbye to Doll , but at the end, before all the men go off to war, Bardolph brings a last message for Doll Tearsheet to meet Falstaff one last time. The hostess pushes Doll through the door to meet Falstaff in private at the close of the opera.

The Story of "The Wandering Scholar"

Scene sets in 13th-century farmhouse in France, the home of Louis, a farmer, and his wife Alison.

Louis is preparing to go to town to get provisions, and tries to kiss Alison before leaving, but she refuses his kiss. After Louis departs, Alison pulls out a concealed almond-cake, a bottle of Burgundy, and pork, to entertain Father Philippe, who has plans to know her intimately. Father Philippe arrives, and is flirtatious with Alison. She initially claims that she will not deceive her husband, but after she points out the attic and that the pork will take 20 minutes to cook, they start to move towards the attic.

Just then, Pierre, a poor wandering scholar, arrives and begs for food. Alison is sympathetic to Pierre's fortune, but Father Philippe wants Pierre to leave immediately. Alison allows Pierre to stay, finding him attractive. Pierre begins to tell his story. Father Philippe then attacks Pierre with a wooden rod and drives Pierre away.

Father Philippe then makes a second attempt to take Alison up to the attic, expressing concern about whether the ladder will bear his weight. Alison, however, hears Louis returning, and is concerned because she and Louis had no provisions when he had left for town. Alison and Father Philippe hide the cake, Burgundy and pork, and Father Philippe hides himself.

Louis and Pierre enter, with Louis asking Alison to provide food for Pierre. Alison argues that Louis was supposed to go to town to obtain provisions. Pierre begins to tell a tale about a herd of pigs, and lets slip that there is a piece of pork in the pot on the stove. Louis is stunned at this, and asks Alison if there is pork in the pot. Alison denies this, but Louis asks to take the lid off, which reveals the pork. Alison acts surprised, and as Pierre continues his story of the pigs and a wolf, where the story parallels the earlier situation with him, Alison and Father Philippe. Alison protests that Pierre is some sort of demonic wizard who made the food magically appear, but Pierre finishes his tale with a metaphor to a hidden priest who would have robbed them.

Louis discovers Father Philippe and drives him out of the house. Alison brings the cooked pork to the table. Louis orders Pierre to sit at the table. Alison is about to do the same, but Louis orders her not to sit, and instead to go up to the attic. She obeys nervously, with Louis following her with his wooden rod. Pierre settles down to food and drink as the curtain falls.