The true reason behind the significance and success of Aix was the fusion of opera and painting.
Gabriel Dussurget, First General Director of the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence
— In 1951, André Derain designed the costumes and sets for Jean Le Poulain’s production of Mozart’s The Abduction from the Seraglio. This prominent figure of Fauvism succeeded Georges Wakhévitch, Cassandre, and Balthus, who were responsible for the sets and costumes of, respectively: the first Così fan tutte in 1948, Don Giovanni in 1949 and Così fan tutte in 1950. Derain, who was influenced by the revolutionary aesthetics proposed by the Ballets russes, for which he created his first sets, remained dedicated to set design throughout his career, as demonstrated by this photograph taken during the revival of the production in 1967.
– Painter, poster artist, and set designer Jean-Denis Malclès designed the sets and costumes for Jean Meyer’s production of Gluck’s Orpheus and Eurydice, presented in 1955. That same year, festivalgoers also discovered the sets by Catalan artist Antoni Clavé for The Marriage of Figaro.
— Between 1960 and 1963, Suzanne Lalique, a painter-illustrator, stage designer, and costume designer, created the costumes and sets for four productions: Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas (1960), L’incoronazione di Poppea (1961), Il combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda with stage director Jeanine Charrat (1961), and Idomeneo (1963).
This photo shows L’incoronazione di Poppea, for which she designed an ancient palace in trompe-l’œil and dressed all singers in togas to recreate imperial Rome.
Profoundly influenced by the aesthetic impact of performances by the Ballets russes in early twentieth-century Paris, Gabriel Dussurget drew inspiration from their modernity and interdisciplinarity to shape the artistic identity of the Festival d’Aix, which he founded in 1948.
For a deeper understanding of the history of modern stagecraft at the Festival d’Aix, read this article about the Ballets russes.
You will also like

[ 75 YEARS IN PICTURES ] THE FESTIVAL OUTSIDE THE FESTIVAL
While the Théâtre de l’Archevêché and its open-air theatre have lost none of their charm over the past 75 years, in 1954 the Festival began expanding...

[ 75 YEARS IN PICTURES ] BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE FESTIVAL
A festival has an entire life outside the public eye, before the theatre opens its doors and the last call rings out to announce the rise of the...

[ EXPERIMENTATION RESIDENCY ] DISCOVER THE THREE PROJECTS FOR MULTIDISCIPLINARY CREATION!
For its twenty-fifth anniversary, the Académie du Festival d’Aix is reaffirming its commitment to creation in opera by implementing the...

[ PORTRAIT ] GEORGE BENJAMIN
In 2012, George Benjamin and Martin Crimp hit the headlines at the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence with Written on Skin, a poisonous tale of love and death...

[ PICTURES ] AU GRAND AIR 2023
Here’s a quick look back at Au Grand Air, an open-air musical walking path created as part of the Mediterranean Youth Orchestra’s 2023 Au Grand Air...

THE FESTIVAL WILL SOON BE HERE: HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT A TRIP TO PROVENCE AND A NIGHT AT THE OPERA?
The Festival will be opening its doors in less than two months. Don’t forget to book your tickets and organise your stay in Aix-en-Provence!

[ PICTURE A DAY LIKE THIS ] INTERVIEW WITH THE COMPOSER AND CONDUCTOR SIR GEORGE BENJAMIN
Interview with the composer and conductor Sir George Benjamin around Picture a day like this, a world premiere to be discovered from 5 to 23 July 2023...
COSÌ - COSÌ FAN TUTTE, FESTIVAL D’AIX 1948-2023: 75 YEARS OF COSÌ FAN TUTTE AT THE FESTIVAL D’AIX
For the 75th anniversary of the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, the Musée des Tapisseries (“Museum of Tapestries”), in collaboration with the Festival d...

[ BALLETS RUSSES ] INTERVIEW WITH THE CONDUCTOR KLAUS MÄKELÄ
Interview with the conductor Klaus Mäkelä around Ballets russes by Stravinsky, new production of the Festival d'Aix which will be performed from 8 to...