The Tudors at WNO: from costume sketches to stage
Looking the part on the opera stage is almost as important as sounding just right, so join us as we take a behind-the-scenes look at the costume designs at Welsh National Opera as they're transformed from drawings on a page to stunning outfits. It's all part of The Tudors season, celebrating the drama and intrigue of life behind royal doors with three operas by Donizetti.
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1. Queen Elizabeth, Maria Stuarda
Costume designer Madeleine Boyd's sketches show just how much work goes into designing the performers' outfits - even before the conductor has picked up the baton. This is the second version of Queen Elizabeth's corset, brought to life with texture inspiration from magazines and fabrics.
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2. Adina Nitescu as Queen Elizabeth
And here's the finished product: Adina Nitescu wears the corset as she plays Queen Elizabeth on stage in Donizetti's Maria Stuarda. She's joined on the left by Judith Howarth, playing fellow royal Mary Stuart. Photo: Robert Workman
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3. Elizabeth, Act I, Roberto Devereux
Queen Elizabeth takes on quite a different look in the third of Donizetti's 'Three Queens' operas, Roberto Devereux, which will be brought to life throughout October. Costume design: Madeleine Boyd
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4. Elizabeth, Preliminary sketch, Maria Stuarda
A preliminary design for Elizabeth from Act I of Maria Stuarda, featuring a lace collar, feathers, a black leather bodice, bare shoulders, and a pleated skirt.Costume design: Madeleine Boyd
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5. Elizabeth in Maria Stuarda
Turning the preliminary sketch into a reality, complete with the planned feather detail and black leather bodice, singer Adina Nitescu performs on stage. Photo: Robert Workman
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6. Talbot, Maria Stuarda
Giorgio Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, stars in Donizetti's opera. In this production, he's wearing a waistcoat made from buckled belts. Costume design: Madeleine Boyd
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7. Maria Stuarda at WNO
Here's Talbot himself, played by bass Alastair Miles. You can see the buckled waistcoat behind his scarf. Picture: Robert Workman
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8. Chorus costumes, Maria Stuarda
It's not just the leading roles who need a detailed costume design. This is the third draft of a sketch for a singer in the chorus. Costume design: Madeleine Boyd
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9. Chorus costumes, Maria Stuarda
And here's the costume in the flesh, with the felt collar and leather bodice transformed from the page into a detailed costume. Photo: Robert Workman
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10. Fur and lace, Queen Elizabeth, Maria Stuarda
Taking inspiration from gorilla fur and lace, Queen Elizabeth's coat takes shape on paper. Costume design: Madeleine Boyd
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11. Elizabeth, Maria Stuarda at WNO
Looking somewhat more glamorous on stage, the fur and lace coat becomes a reality on stage in Donizetti's opera. Picture: Robert Workman
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12. Maria Stuarda, corset
Taking inspiration from magazines for this corset, planned in the sketches to be tan. Costume design: Madeleine Boyd
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13. Maria Stuarda, bodice
The tan leather corset becomes a reality on stage. Photo: Robert Workman
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14. Henry VIII, Anna Bolena
"Bald with long red straggly hair and beard." Even the characters' hair and physical appearance is taken into account when designing the costumes. This one's for King Henry VIII, husband of lead soprano Anna Bolena. Costume design: Madeleine Boyd
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15. Alistair Miles as Henry VIII
Singer Alastair Miles transforms his appearance to play Henry VIII on stage at WNO. Photo: Robert Workman
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16. Jane Seymour, Anna Bolena at WNO
The plans for Jane Seymour's costume, including a high shine collar with black heavy pleats, and leather cuffs. Costume design: Madeleine Boyd
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17. Jane Seymour, Anna Bolena at WNO
Katherine Goeldner plays Jane Seymour on stage. Singing must be pretty difficult in such a heavy costume! Picture: Robert Workman
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18. Lord Hervey, Anna Bolena
Court official Lord Hervey continues the fur-inspired theme in these plans for his on stage outfit. Costume design: Madeleine Boyd
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19. Lord Hervey, Anna Bolena at WNO
Henry VIII tells Hervey, an officer of the king, to spy on his wife Anna Bolena. Hervey's pictured on the left, with his fur and chains matching Henry VIII's. Picture: Robert Workman
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20. Maria Stuarda
Mary Stuart's costume takes shape, with a tartan serving as a nod to her Scottish roots. Costume design: Madeleine Boyd
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21. Maria Stuarda at WNO
Judith Howarth plays Mary Stuart on stage, wearing the heavily shoulder-padded red jacket. Picture: Robert Workman
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22. Maria Stuarda at WNO
Here's Mary Stuart on stage at WNO, minus the red jacket, with her tartan skirt in full view. Photo: Robert Workman
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23. Anna Bolena
Leaving plenty of room for a large ruff collar, Boyd's designs explain what lead soprano Anna Bolena will wear when she arrives in the forest. Costume design: Madeleine Boyd
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24. Anna Bolena at WNO
The outfit looks strikingly different with the addition of a huge red ruff, as singer Serena Fanocchia wears one of the most iconic costumes from the WNO Tudors season. Photo: Robert Workman
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25. Lord Guglielmo Cecil, Maria Stuarda
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Guglielmo Cecil, wears chain mail and a jacket in these costume sketches. Costume design: Madeleine Boyd
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26. Lord Guglielmo Cecil, Maria Stuarda
Bass Gary Griffiths plays Cecil, arriving on stage to deliver a death warrant to the queen. Photo: Robert Workman
