Jean-Pierre Ponnelle (19 February 1932 – 11 August 1988) was a French opera director, set and costume designer.

Biography

Ponnelle was born in Paris. He studied philosophy, art, and history there and, in 1952, began his career in Germany as a theatre designer for Henze's opera '' Boulevard Solitude''. He was greatly influenced by the work of art director Georges Wakhévitch who also designed sets and costumes for the theatre, the ballet, and the opera. In 1962, Ponnelle directed his first production of Wagner's '' Tristan und Isolde'' in Düsseldorf. His production of that work at the

Bayreuth Festival The Bayreuth Festival (german: link=no, Bayreuther Festspiele) is a music festival held annually in Bayreuth, Germany, at which performances of operas by the 19th-century German composer Richard Wagner are presented. Wagner himself conceived ...

in 1981 was widely praised as one of the most aesthetically beautiful in its history. His work throughout the world included stage productions at the Metropolitan Opera and the San Francisco Opera; productions for television (Puccini's ''

Madama Butterfly ''Madama Butterfly'' (; ''Madame Butterfly'') is an opera in three acts (originally two) by Giacomo Puccini, with an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. It is based on the short story "Madame Butterfly" (1898) by John Luther ...

'' in 1974 notable for performances by Mirella Freni and the young Plácido Domingo); and filmed versions of operas such as Mozart's '' Le nozze di Figaro'' conducted by Karl Böhm. His 1969 production of Mozart's then neglected '' La Clemenza di Tito'' for the Cologne Opera helped re-establish this work in the repertory. Ponnelle also was a frequent guest at the Salzburg Festival. His productions were often controversial. In 1986, Verdi's '' Aida'' at the Royal Opera House, in which he replaced the usual ballet dancers with young boys, was soundly booed and never revived, though Donizeti's '' Don Pasquale'' earlier at the same theatre had been a triumph, as were his interpretations of well-known works.Chatfield-Taylor, p. 63: "Some critics felt that there was...perversity in Ponnelle's conception of ''(Rigoletto)'' as a flashback that begins with Gilda already dead, lying on the floor during the Prelude". He died in Munich in 1988 of a pulmonary embolism following a tragic fall into the orchestra pit during rehearsals for a production of Bizet's ''Carmen'' with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Zubin Mehta. His son is the orchestra conductor Pierre-Dominique Ponnelle and his nephew is Jean Pierre Danel.

Video recordings

Catherine Malfitano dans Traviata par Claude Truong-Ngoc 1980

* Hindemith: '' Cardillac'' – Wolfgang Sawallisch, Bavarian State Opera and Chorus. Singers: Donald McIntyre,

Maria de Francesca-Cavazza Maria de Francesca-Cavazza is a German operatic soprano and voice teacher. Raised in the United States, she is a graduate of the Sherwood Conservatory of Music at the Columbia College Chicago where she was a pupil of Maria Hussa-Greve and Garvin ...

, Robert Schunk, Hans Günter Nöcker. DVD: DGG 0044 007 3432 4 * Massenet: ''

Manon ''Manon'' () is an ''opéra comique'' in five acts by Jules Massenet to a French libretto by Henri Meilhac and Philippe Gille, based on the 1731 novel '' L'histoire du chevalier des Grieux et de Manon Lescaut'' by the Abbé Prévost. It was first ...

'' –

Ádám Fischer Ádám Fischer (born 9 September 1949 in Budapest) is a Hungarian conductor. He is the general music director of the Austro-Hungarian Haydn Orchestra, chief conductor of the Danish Chamber Orchestra, and chief conductor of the Düsseldorfer Sym ...

, Chor und Orchestre der Wiener Staatsoper. Singers: Edita Gruberová, Francisco Araiza,

Pierre Thau Pierre is a masculine given name. It is a French form of the name Peter. Pierre originally meant "rock" or "stone" in French (derived from the Greek word πέτρος (''petros'') meaning "stone, rock", via Latin "petra"). It is a translation ...

Hans Helm Hans may refer to: __NOTOC__ People * Hans (name), a masculine given name * Hans Raj Hans, Indian singer and politician ** Navraj Hans, Indian singer, actor, entrepreneur, cricket player and performer, son of Hans Raj Hans ** Yuvraj Hans, Punjabi ...

. DVD: DGG 0440 073 4207 7 * Monteverdi: '' L'Orfeo'' –

Nikolaus Harnoncourt Johann Nikolaus Harnoncourt or historically Johann Nikolaus Graf de la Fontaine und d'Harnoncourt-Unverzagt; () (6 December 1929 – 5 March 2016) was an Austrian conductor, particularly known for his historically informed performances of music ...

, Das Monteverdi-Ensemble des Opernhauses Zürich. Singers: Philippe Huttenlocher, Dietlinde Turban,

Trudeliese Schmidt Trudeliese Schmidt (7 November 1942 − 24 June 2004) was a German operatic mezzo-soprano who had an international career, performing at major opera houses and festivals in Europe. The singer with a remarkable stage presence excelled in trouser ro ...

, Francisco Araiza, Christian Boesch. DVD: DGG 0440 073 4163 6 * Monteverdi: ''

Il ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria ''Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria'' (Stattkus-Verzeichnis, SV 325, ''The Return of Ulysses to his Homeland'') is an List of operas by Claudio Monteverdi, opera consisting of a prologue and five acts (later revised to three), set by Claudio Montever ...

'' –

, Das Monteverdi-Ensemble des Opernhauses Zürich. Singers
Werner Hollweg
Francisco Araiza,

Janet Perry Janet Perry (born December 27, 1947, Minneapolis) is an American operatic soprano. In 1959, aged 11, she was seen in a stage-version of '' The Wizard of Oz'' at the St Paul Civic Opera. Following high school, she matriculated at the Curtis Institu ...

. DVD: DGG 0440 073 4278 7 * Monteverdi: '' L'incoronazione di Poppea'' –

, Das Monteverdi-Ensemble des Opernhauses Zürich. Singers: Rachel Yakarbr>Werner Hollweg
Paul Esswood. DVD: DGG 0440 073 4174 2 * Mozart: '' Mitridate, re di Ponto'' –

, Concentus Musicus, Wien. Singers:

Gösta Winbergh Gösta Winbergh (30 December 1943 – 18 March 2002) was a Swedish tenor. Early life Winbergh was born in Stockholm. There was no musical tradition in Winbergh's family. He himself was a building engineer when he watched his first opera perform ...

, Yvonne Kenny, Ann Murray, Anne Gjevang, Joan Rodgers
Peter Straka
DVD: DGG 0440 073 4127 8 * Mozart: '' Idomeneo'' – James Levine, The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus. Singers:

Luciano Pavarotti Luciano Pavarotti (, , ; 12 October 19356 September 2007) was an Italian operatic tenor who during the late part of his career crossed over into popular music, eventually becoming one of the most acclaimed tenors of all time. He made numerou ...

, Ileana Cotrubaș, Hildegard Behrens, Frederica von Stade, John Alexander. DVD: DGG 0440 073 4234 3 GH 2 * Mozart: '' Le nozze di Figaro'' – Karl Böhm, Vienna Philharmonic. Singers: Hermann Prey, Mirella Freni, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau,

Kiri Te Kanawa Dame Kiri Jeanette Claire Te Kanawa , (; born Claire Mary Teresa Rawstron, 6 March 1944) is a retired New Zealand opera singer. She had a full lyric soprano voice, which has been described as "mellow yet vibrant, warm, ample and unforced". Te ...

, Maria Ewing,

Paolo Montarsolo Paolo Montarsolo (16 March 1925 – 31 August 2006) was an Italian operatic bass particularly associated with buffo roles. Biography Montarsolo was born in Portici. After vocal studies in Naples and Milan, he made his debut at the Teatro San Ca ...

. DVD: DGG 0440 073 4034 9 * Mozart: ''

Così fan Tutte (''All Women Do It, or The School for Lovers''), K. 588, is an opera buffa in two acts by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It was first performed on 26 January 1790 at the Burgtheater in Vienna, Austria. The libretto was written by Lorenzo Da Ponte w ...

'' –

, Vienna Philharmonic. Singers: Edita Gruberová,

Delores Ziegler Delores Ziegler (born 4 September 1951) is an American mezzo-soprano who has had an active international performance career since the late 1970s. A former resident artist at the Cologne Opera, she has performed leading roles with many of the world ...

, Teresa Stratas, Luis Lima, Ferruccio Furlanetto,

. DVD: DGG 0440 073 4237 4 * Mozart: '' Die Zauberflöte'' – James Levine, Chor und Orchestre der Wiener Staatsoper. Singers: Ileana Cotrubaș, Edita Gruberová,

Peter Schreier Peter Schreier (29 July 1935 – 25 December 2019) was a German tenor in opera, concert and lied, and a conductor. He was regarded as one of the leading lyric tenors of the 20th century. Schreier was a member of the Dresdner Kreuzchor conducte ...

, Christian Boesch, Walter Berry, Martti Talvela. DVD: ArtHaus 107 199 * Mozart: '' La clemenza di Tito'' – James Levine, Vienna Philharmonic. Singers: Tatiana Troyanos, Carol Neblett, Catherine Malfitano,

Eric Tappy The given name Eric, Erich, Erikk, Erik, Erick, or Eirik is derived from the Old Norse name ''Eiríkr'' (or ''Eríkr'' in Old East Norse due to monophthongization). The first element, ''ei-'' may be derived from the older Proto-Norse ''* ain ...

, Anne Howells,

Kurt Rydl Kurt Rydl (born October 8, 1947) is an Austrian operatic bass (basso profondo). Biography Rydl studied at the Vienna Academy of Music and the Moscow Conservatory. He has won many prizes at several competitions. Rydl is a guest on many major fes ...

. DVD: DGG 0440 073 4128 5 * Orff: '' Carmina Burana'' (Original Source) – Kurt Eichhorn, Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks & Münchner Rundfunkorchester. Singers: Lucia Popp, Hermann Prey, John van Kesteren. DVD: RCA 74321 852859 ''(Currently available in PAL format only)'' * Puccini: ''

'' – Herbert von Karajan, Wiener Philharmoniker. Singers: Mirella Freni, Plácido Domingo,

Christa Ludwig Christa Ludwig (16 March 1928 – 24 April 2021) was a German mezzo-soprano and occasional dramatic soprano, distinguished for her performances of opera, lieder, oratorio, and other major religious works like masses, passions, and solos in symp ...

Robert Kerns Robert Kerns (June 8, 1933, Detroit - February 15, 1989, Vienna) was an American baritone, he was a stylish and versatile singer with a wide repertoire. Life and career Kerns studied at the University of Michigan, and made his debut in 195 ...

Michel Sénéchal Michel Sénéchal (11 February 1927 – 1 April 2018) was a French tenor, particularly associated with French and Italian character roles in a repertory ranging from Baroque to contemporary works. Life and career Michel Sénéchal was born in P ...

. DVD: DGG 00440 073 4037 * Rossini: '' L'Italiana in Algeri'' – James Levine, The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus. Singers: Marilyn Horne,

Douglas Ahlstedt Douglas Ahlstedt (born 16 March 1945, Jamestown, New York) is an American operatic tenor who had an international performance career with major opera houses from the 1970s through the 1990s. He currently teaches on the voice faculty at Carnegie M ...

, Allan Monk,

Myra Merritt Myra Merritt is an American operatic soprano, who was born in Washington, DC. She earned a Bachelor of Music from the Peabody Conservatory of Music, and a Master of Music from the Catholic University of America. She made her debut with the Me ...

. DVD: DGG 0440 073 4261 9 * Rossini: '' Il barbiere di Siviglia'' – Claudio Abbado, Coro e Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala. Singers: Teresa Berganza, Luigi Alva, Hermann Prey, Enzo Dara,

. DVD: DGG 0440 073 4039 4 * Rossini: '' La Cenerentola'' – Claudio Abbado, Coro e Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala. Singers: Frederica von Stade, Margherita Guglielmi,

Laura Zannini Laura may refer to: People * Laura (given name) * Laura, the British code name for the World War I Belgian spy Marthe Cnockaert Places Australia * Laura, Queensland, a town on the Cape York Peninsula * Laura, South Australia * Laura Bay, a bay on ...

, Francisco Araiza, Claudio Desderi,

, Paul Plishka. DVD: DGG 0440 073 4096 7 * Verdi: '' Rigoletto'' –

Riccardo Chailly Riccardo Chailly (, ; born 20 February 1953) is an Italian conductor. He is currently music director of the Lucerne Festival Orchestra, since 2016, and music director of La Scala, since 2017. Prior to this, he held chief conducting positions ...

, Wiener Philharmoniker und

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. Singers:

Ingvar Wixell Karl Gustaf Ingvar Wixell (7 May 19318 October 2011) was a Swedish baritone who had an active international career in operas and concerts from 1955 to 2003. He mostly sang roles from the Italian repertory, and, according to ''The New York Times'' ...

, Edita Gruberová, Ferruccio Furlanetto. DVD: DGG 0440 073 4166 7 * Verdi: '' Falstaff'' –

Sir John Pritchard Sir John Michael Pritchard, (born Stanley Frederick Pritchard, 5 February 1918 – 5 December 1989) was an English conductor. He was known for his interpretations of Mozart operas and for his support of contemporary music. Life and career Pritch ...

, London Philharmonic & Glyndebourne Chorus. Singers:

Donald Gramm Donald John Gramm (February 26, 1927 – June 2, 1983) was an American bass-baritone whose career was divided between opera and concert performances. His appearances were primarily limited to the United States, which at the time was unusual for ...

, Benjamin Luxon, Kay Griffel, Elizabeth Gale, Max René Cosotti, John Fryatt, Bernard Dickerson,

Ugo Trama Ugo is the Italian form of Hugh (given name), Hugh, a widely used name of Germanic origin. Its diminutive form is Ugolino (disambiguation), Ugolino. It is also a Nigerian Igboid languages, Igbo first name. It may refer to: People * Vgo (stonema ...

, Nucci Condo, Reni Penkova. DVD: Arthaus 101 083 * Wagner: '' Tristan und Isolde'' –

Daniel Barenboim Daniel Barenboim (; in he, דניאל בארנבוים, born 15 November 1942) is an Argentine-born classical pianist and conductor based in Berlin. He has been since 1992 General Music Director of the Berlin State Opera and "Staatskapellmeist ...

, Orchester der Bayreuther Festspiele. Singers: René Kollo,

Johanna Meier Johanna Meier (born February 13, 1938) is an American operatic soprano. She has been described as "one of the foremost Wagnerian sopranos of her era".

, Matti Salminen, Hermann Becht, Hanna Schwarz. DVD: DGG 0440 073 4321 0

References

Bibliography

* Kristina Bendikas, ''The Opera Theatre of Jean-Pierre Ponnelle'', Lewiston/NY (E. Mellen Press) 2004. * Max W. Busch & Margit Saad-Ponnelle, ''Jean-Pierre Ponnelle'', 400 p, env. 350 photos n/b & couleurs, ''Henschel Verlag'', Berlin 2008. – * Vera Lùcia Calabria, ''Jean-Pierre Ponelle und die Kamera. Anmerkungen zu Ponnelles Umgang mit den Medien'', in: Jürgen Kühnel/Ulrich Müller/Oswald Panagl (eds.), ''Das Musiktheater in den audiovisuellen Medien. »...ersichtlich gewordenen Taten der Musik...«'', Anif/Salzburg (Müller-Speiser) 2001, pp. 276–294. * Chatfield-Taylor, Joan, ''San Francisco Opera: The First 75 Years'', San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 1997, * Imre Fabian, ''Imre Fabian im Gespräch mit Jean-Pierre Ponnelle'', Zürich/Schwäbisch Hall (Orell Füssli) 1983. * Kii-Ming Lo, ''Der Opernfilm als Erweiterung der Bühne. Versuch einer Theorie anhand von Jean-Pierre Ponnelles »Rigoletto«'', in: Jürgen Kühnel/Ulrich Müller/Oswald Panagl (eds.), ''Das Musiktheater in den audiovisuellen Medien. »...ersichtlich gewordenen Taten der Musik...«'', Anif/Salzburg (Müller-Speiser) 2001, pp. 264–275. * Kii-Ming Lo, ''Die filmische Umsetzung der Ouvertüren von Mozarts Opern durch Jean-Pierre Ponnelle'', in: Jürgen Kühnel/Ulrich Müller/Oswald Panagl (eds.), ''»Regietheater« ─ Konzeption und Praxis am Beispiel der Bühnenwerke Mozarts'', Anif/Salzburg (Müller-Speiser) 2007, pp. 364–375. * Kii-Ming Lo, ''Ein desillusionierter Traum von Amerika: Jean-Pierre Ponnelles Opern-Film »Madama Butterfly«'', in:

Sieghart Döhring Sieghart Döhring (born 12 December 1939) is a German musicologist and Opera researcher. Career Born in Biskupiec, East Prussia, Döhring studied musicology, theology and philosophy in Hamburg and Marburg/Lahn. In 1969 he gained a doctorate at ...

/Stefanie Rauch (eds..), ''Musiktheater im Fokus'', Sinzig (Studio Punkt Verlag) 2014, pp. 219–236. * Kii-Ming Lo, ''Sehen, Hören und Begreifen: Jean-Pierre Ponnelles Verfilmung der »Carmina Burana« von Carl Orff'', in: Thomas Rösch (ed.), ''Text, Musik, Szene ─ Das Musiktheater von Carl Orff'', Mainz etc. (Schott) 2015, pp. 147–173. * Kii-Ming Lo, ''»Im Dunkel du, im Lichte ich!« ─ Jean-Pierre Ponnelles Bayreuther Inszenierung von »Tristan und Isolde«'', in: Naomi Matsumoto et al. (eds.), ''The Staging of Verdi & Wagner Operas'', Turnhout (Brepols) 2015, pp. 307–321. * Various authors (ed.), ''Ponnelle in München, 1952–1988'', Exhibition catalogue of the Bavarian State Opera, München (Bayerische Staatsoper) 1991.

External links

"Jean-Pierre Ponnelle, 56, Is Dead; Was Opera Director And Designer"
John Rockwell, ''New York Times'', 12 August 1988 * "Grand Operator", '' The Guardian'', (London), 13 August 1988 (Obituary)
IMdB entry for Ponnelle listing major productions for film, TV, and stage
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ponnelle, Jean-Pierre 1932 births 1988 deaths Theatre directors from Paris French opera directors French scenic designers French costume designers Deaths from pulmonary embolism Burials at Père Lachaise Cemetery