D

Stage and Costume Design

Roberto Burle Marx is introduced early to the world of the theatre, opera and ballet. After seeing numerous performances, in 1950 he has his debut as a stage designer for a production of the three-act play As águas, premiering in the Teatro Fênix in Rio de Janeiro. Many more commissions follow. One of these leads him to collaborate on the stage design for Petrushka, the ballet by Igor Stravinski, in 1954. The production premieres in the Rio de Janeiro municipal theatre in December of 1954; the São Paulo premiere takes place a year later. The sketches for the stage design, made in gouache on paper, as well as designs for some of the characters and some of the original costumes are extant; a selection is on display here. In 1956, Burle Marx wins the annual competition to decorate the carnival ball in the Rio de Janeiro municipal theatre. His stage design, titled Fantasia de carnaval, is remarkably modern and abstract, and somewhat reminiscent of a circus. It is chosen for its originality and splendidly striking appearance. Gaily coloured geometrical figures made of paper hang from the ceiling, creating an exuberant atmosphere. Burle Marx goes on to produce stage designs for opera, theatre and ballet productions.