Tosca and Turandot
Terme di Caracalla, Roma
Studio Fuksas paid homage to Giacomo Puccini on the hundredth anniversary of his death with a scenographic project for Tosca and Turandot on the occasion of the Caracalla Festival 2024. The two productions were performed from July 5 to August 10, 2024.
The scenography designed by Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas unites, in a single installation, Tosca and Turandot, the two titles . The project is a dialogue between the past and the present, inspired by the grandeur of the Roman ruins and the powerful drama of the opera itself. The main intent is to enhance the emotions and conflicts of the characters through a visual environment that amplifies the intensity of the narration. “The scene for both titles is white, to give strength to the characters,” say the Fuksas architects. With a unique approach that combines elements of modernity with the historicity and majesty of the archaeological site of the Baths of Caracalla, the Fuksas have created a scenography that is a fascinating fusion of ancient and contemporary.
“The first theme was the comparison with the importance of the ruins of the Baths of Caracalla that are the scale of Great Rome, with which we did not want to place ourselves in opposition but to define a foreground with the background of the ancient baths.”, explain Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas, “So we conceived a unique scenography that also serves as a stage for the singers. In all the shows at the Baths of Caracalla, man is always seen in the distance, so we created a white background against which the figures stand out well in a space like between a cloud and an iceberg, a fluid, articulated space, a space for the lives of Tosca and Turandot that in the end is like a house where the show, sometimes dramatic, of life is staged”.
Scenic Elements
1. Modular Structures: Lightweight and versatile materials have been used to design modular structures that reflect modern architecture but are also a tribute to the Baths of Caracalla themselves.
2. Projections and Multimedia: A distinctive element of the project is the innovative use of digital projections that are used to project images that recall iconic places in Rome, such as the Palazzo Farnese, Castel Sant’Angelo, China. These projections not only create an immersive visual environment but interact with the movements of the actors and the lights, amplifying the emotional experience of the audience.
3. Dramatic Lighting: Lighting plays a crucial role in the project. With a dynamic lighting system, the scene can quickly switch from dark and oppressive atmospheres to moments of brightness and hope, mirroring the tensions and climaxes of the plot. The lights are positioned in such a way as to highlight both the actors and the architectural elements of the baths.
Visual and Emotional Impact
The overall effect of the scenography is that of a living work of art, where each element creates an atmosphere full of emotion and tension. The wise use of technology respects the historicity of the place and enhances it, creating a scene that is both eternal and contemporary.
SITE
Caracalla Baths, Rome, Italy
DATE
2024
CLIENT
Opera Roma
ARCHITECTS
Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas
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