Ritratto

The online world premiere of Willem Jeths’ new opera about the extravagant Italian art muse and patron Luisa Casati has its offline world premiere was an enormous success during lockdown. This fall, Ritratto premieres offline. The opera is directed by Marcel Sims, with costumes made by the famous couturier Jan Taminiau.

Luisa Casati

The excessively wealthy Italian Marquesa Casati strove to be seen throughout her life. She was famous for the exuberant parties she organized. She was portrayed and photographed by the great artists of her age. With her black-rimmed eyes, her flaming red hair and eccentric behaviour she tried to gain a place in the art world.

Against the background of the outbreak of the First World War, librettist Frank Siera questions the relevance of art. At one of Casati's parties, Siera brings together all sorts of artists from the time of Casati. Casati does not engage with worldly problems and focuses blindly on her passion and her artistic ideals.

Willem Jeths

In composing operas such as Ritratto, Willem Jeths – who was the Netherlands’ first national composer between 2014 and 2016 – manipulates orchestral colours and deliberately selects timbres to match his protagonists. ‘I’m convinced that music can be stronger and more expressive if people can relate to it.’