Wagner’s powerful Tannhäuser graced the stage with lush scenery designed by James Mulder and lit by Marie Barrett.  This production was based on the original Gunter Schneider-Siemmsen scenery designed for the Metropolitan and Vienna Operas.  When Schneider-Siemmsen originally designed those productions, the scenic techniques were ground breaking.  We made great efforts to recreate the classical nature of the original designs which became legendary.  It was built at the San Diego Opera Scenic Studio and the projections are enhanced and reconfigured copies of the original Vienna projections.

This scenic design began with CAD drawings that were created with simulated lighting so that they appear to be photos of actual scenery.  A small scale model was also created, in order for the staff to visualize the production in 3-D.  The Venusberg and Wartburg exteriors are very different and more organic than the interior of the Hall of Song.  However, organic looking they may be, the steel structure and framework of these set pieces are as important (perhaps even more so) in the early stages of construction than the more standard wood flats and platforming of the Hall.  Later, textures and paint are added to create the designed look.  Once the pieces are constructed and painted, the units are dissembled and reassembled in the theatre.  Next the painstaking technical work of lighting and adjusting the projections happens.  Finally, staging the performers on the actual scenery completes the production.