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    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.

    1. Tudors costumes at WNO

      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.

    2. Anna Bolena at WNO

      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

    3. Tudors costumes at WNO

      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

    4. Tudors costumes at WNO

      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

    5. Anna Bolena at WNO

      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

    6. Tudors costumes at WNO

      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

    7. Maria Stuarda at WNO

      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

    8. Tudors costumes at WNO

      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

    9. Anna Bolena at WNO

      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

    10. Tudors costumes at WNO

      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

    11. Maria Stuarda at WNO

      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

    12. Tudors costumes at WNO

      12. Maria Stuarda, corset

      Taking inspiration from magazines for this corset, planned in the sketches to be tan. Costume design: Madeleine Boyd

    13. Anna Bolena at WNO

      13. Maria Stuarda, bodice

      The tan leather corset becomes a reality on stage. Photo: Robert Workman

    14. Tudors costumes at WNO

      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

    15. Anna Bolena at WNO

      15. Alistair Miles as Henry VIII

      Singer Alastair Miles transforms his appearance to play Henry VIII on stage at WNO. Photo: Robert Workman

    16. Tudors costumes at WNO

      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

    17. Anna Bolena at WNO

      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

    18. Tudors costumes at WNO

      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

    19. Anna Bolena at WNO

      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

    20. Tudors costumes at WNO

      20. Maria Stuarda

      Mary Stuart's costume takes shape, with a tartan serving as a nod to her Scottish roots. Costume design: Madeleine Boyd

    21. Maria Stuarda at WNO

      21. Maria Stuarda at WNO

      Judith Howarth plays Mary Stuart on stage, wearing the heavily shoulder-padded red jacket. Picture: Robert Workman

    22. Anna Bolena at WNO

      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

    23. Tudors costumes at WNO

      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

    24. Anna Bolena at WNO

      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

    25. Tudors costumes at WNO

      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

    26. Anna Bolena at WNO

      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

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