pierre yovanovitch reveals rotating set and 53 costumes for korea national opera

Pierre Yovanovitch unveils scenography for korean opera

The Korea National Opera production of Le Nozze di Figaro features the debut of Pierre Yovanovitch in costume design and further development of his work in set design. The architect, known for his interior designs, brings his expertise once again to the stage, collaborating with French opera director Vincent Huguet. This production showcases a rotating set and 53 costumes, offering a fresh perspective on Mozart’s classic opera.

Yovanovitch, an opera enthusiast from a young age, began exploring stage design with Rigoletto at Theater Basel in 2023. Drawing on his background in menswear under Pierre Cardin, his approach centers on harmony in design, form, proportion, and materiality. ‘Everything seems simple in The Marriage of Figaro, but – and this is the genius of Mozart and da Ponte – in the end, the characters are all ambiguous,’ explains Pierre Yovanovitch. ‘Love is everywhere, and melancholy more than meets the eye. It is the character of Cherubino who best symbolizes the burning of the heart and body in this work. And this work is a perfect example of the ‘popular’ opera that we never tire of hearing and seeing performed.’

all images by Pijoo Hwang

rotating set transforms the stage throughout the performance

For Le Nozze di Figaro, the French designer creates an immersive stage that transforms throughout the performance, adding to the opera’s themes of deception and intrigue. The rotating set enhances the storytelling by fluidly shifting between different settings. Inspired by modern architects like Le Corbusier and Tadao Ando, Yovanovitch uses geometric forms and lighting to amplify the emotional impact.

Le Nozze di Figaro is the first production of the Korea National Opera’s season. The four-act story centers around Count Almaviva’s attempt to exercise the feudal right to spend the wedding night with his servant’s bride. Figaro and Susanna, the bride-to-be, along with their allies, devise a plan to outsmart the Count, leading to his humiliation and the triumph of love and justice. Famous for its lively overture and memorable duets, this opera remains one of the most beloved in the classical repertoire, featured in films like The Shawshank Redemption and various game soundtracks.

This production marks the third collaboration between the Korea National Opera and David Reiland, who conducts the Korea National Symphony Orchestra. Director Vincent Huguet, known for his creative reinterpretations of the Da Ponte operas, brings a new perspective to Le Nozze di Figaro. Together with Pierre Yovanovitch’s designs, this version of the opera presents a fresh take on Mozart’s timeless work.

Pierre Yovanovitch’s debut in costume design