An awards exhibition by members of Da Vinci Art Alliance, in collaboration with International Opera Theater, of art inspired by Shakespeares tragedy and IOTs interpretation, a new opera Romeo e Giulietta, directed by Karen Saillant, with music by Emily Wong, libretto by Tommaso Sabbatini, costumes/sets by Mi-Kyoung Lee, world premiered in Teatro degli Avvaloranti, Citta’ della Pieve, Italy, in August 2008.
Da Vinci Art Alliance members interpret the Shakespearean play with paintings, collage, objet trouve and prints. Above is Lilliana Didovic’s mixed media piece incorporating red fabric the singers use to evoke emotion; Karen Saillant gave a wonderful lecture at the alliance explaining how she selected singers based on their ability to interact expressively with the fabric. Here a sweet love notion , like a candy heart box drenched in red.
Awards Judges: Karen Saillant and Mi-Kyoung Lee, International Opera Theater. Lee designed the costumes and is a UArts alum -Holla!
First prize winner, Rachel Citrino‘s, expressive mixed media installation is wildly bold, intefrating new technology with a special red color.
June Blumberg, “Romeo and Juliet in Love“, Pitt Pen.
3rd place winner, Francine Strauss, expanded the blue – a visual metaphor the opera employs to convey a change in mood – by repurposing her own old prints into a new collage.
Ted Warchal, 2nd prize – Dr. Deb Miller explained the metaphor of the coffin/cigar box conveniently branded Romeo Y Julietta.
A special surprise during the awards was an acapella performance of songs from the Italian opera by Elias Hendricks – Romeo – which had everyone in tears, a great artist in blossom. Artistic director Karen Saillant of the International Opera Theater is searching for an appropriate Philadelphia venue after the successful production world premiered in Teatro degli Avvaloranti, Citta’ della Pieve, Italy, in August 2008.
