Set and Lighting Design for Rinaldo, The Magic Flute and The Merry Widow

Will be working on the set and lighting Design for these Operas. These Operas are on the 28th of October and I'm going away to Japan from 9th to 16th of October. I am a little concern about the time I have to prepare for the it.

Preliminary Concepts:

Before Interval: "Rinaldo and The Magic Flute" Four or 6 large Columns that form an arch shape upstage to create a pompous and spacious visual. Drapes with tattered fabrics and stage decorated with mangrove plants to create a garden like effects. Lighting effects with lots of leaves gobos and fog

After Interval: "The Merry Widow"

Clear off all Drapes and tattered fabrics to reveal the full Fluted and Reeded Colums. Ornate tables and chairs onstage + Lighting Effects

Rinaldo by Handel An Italian opera by George Frideric Handel, now a part of the standard operatic repertoire. The Italian libretto was written by Giacomo Rossi based on episodes of Torquato Tasso's ("Jerusalem Delivered"). It is a heroic story of battle and love set in the time of the First Crusade (1096–1099).Research: 1710, Jerusalem, the Crusades,wiki

Act 2 - Sc 6, Duet: "Fermati!"Recit, " Di speranza un bel raggio", aria: "Venti, turbini"Synopsis: ACT 2On a seashore, amid mermaids, Rinaldo and Goffredo complain about how far they must travel to find the hermit. Eustazio tells them they are close to their destination. Rinaldo is lured into a boat by a spirit in the form of a lovely woman who tells him Almirena has sent her. His companions are unable to prevent him entering the boat. In Armida's enchanted palace garden, Argante makes advances to Almirena, saying he can prove his love by breaking Armida's spell. She pleads to be left alone. Armida is pleased at Rinaldo's capture and offers him her love. When he refuses, she changes her appearance to that of Almirena. Taken in at first, he is furious when the deception is revealed. On Argante's arrival, she again changes her appearance which only exposes his affection for Almirena. She calls for revenge.prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /

"Die Zauberflote" by Mozart (The Magic Flute) The Magic Flute (German Die Zauberflöte, K. 620) is an opera in two acts composed in 1791 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to a libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder. The work is in the form of a Singspiel, a popular form that included both singing and spoken dialogue.

Research: 1790, Fairy tale OperaAct 1 - Sc 1, aria: "Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schön/ This image is enchantingly lovely, Like no eye has ever beheld!") Scene 1: Distant land

Tamino recovers to see before him Papageno, arrayed entirely in the plumage of birds, who sings of his job as a birdcatcher and the fact that he is longing for a wife. (Aria: Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja) Papageno jokes with Tamino but says that he brings the birds that he catches to the Queen of the Night's servants, who give him food and drink in return. Papageno also claims that he has saved Tamino and strangled the serpent with his bare hands. At this moment, the three ladies appear and punish his lie by paying for his birds with a stone instead of food, water instead of wine and placing a padlockover his mouth. They tell Tamino that they were responsible for saving him. He deeply appreciates them and they show to the prince a miniature of a young maiden, Pamina, with whom he falls instantly in love. (Aria:Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schön/ This image is enchantingly lovely, Like no eye has ever beheld!")

Act 1 - Sc 2, duet: "Bei Männern welche Liebe fühlen" [An Ode to Love]

Synopsis: 

Act 2 - Sc 5, quintet:"Wie? Ihr an diesem Schreckensort?"

Act 2 - Sc 8, trio: Soll ich dich, Teurer, nicht mehr sehn?

Scene 8: Pyramids

Synopsis:Sarastro parts Pamina and Tamino. (Trio: Sarastro, Pamina, Tamino – Soll ich dich, Teurer, nicht mehr sehn?) Papageno also desires to have his little wife, and sings of this with his magic bells. (Aria, Papageno: Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen). At the first ordeal, an old woman had appeared to him and declared herself his bride. She now again appears and changes herself into the young and pretty Papagena. However, the priests send her away with thunder and lightning. She vanishes, frightened, and Papageno is miserable.

Act 2, Sc 10, duet from finale: "("pa … pa … pa")Scene 10: Rocks with water and a cavern of fire.

Synopsis

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The Merry Widow by Franz Lehár Based the story — concerning a rich widow, Hanna Glawari, and her attempt to find a husband — on an 1861 comedy play, ( ) by Henri Meilhac.

Research: 1860, Opera Comedy, Wiki

Scene: The Embassy of Paris: A Ball to celebrate the birthday of the sovereign, the Grand Duke Act 1, no 1: "Introduction, Pontevedro in Paree"

Act 1, no 2: "A highly respectable wife"

Act 1, no 3: "Gentleman, no more"

Scene: A party in the garden at Hanna's house

Act 2, no 7: Introduction, dance and Vilia-song"

Act 2, no 9: You're back where you first began"

Scene: At a theme party in Hanna's ballroom Act 3, no 14: "Eh, voila les belles grisettes"

Act 3, no 15: "Love Unspoken"

Act 3, no 16: "You're back where you first began" 

This will serve as my links to the research.