Ritratto: Dutch National Opera

Ritratto - the Italian word for 'portrait' is the title of a new opera by Willem Jeths, who was fascinated by a painting depicting Luisa Casati. The young orphaned and married, excessively wealthy Italian Marquesa Casati strove to be seen throughout her life. She was famous for the exuberant parties she organized. She allowed herself to be portrayed or photographed by numerous artists. 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 war, librettist Frank Siera questions the importance of art. At a feast of Casati, Siera brings together all sorts of artists from the time of Casati. At the time, it was the Futurists who paved the way for fascism with their art. Casati does not engage with secular problems and focuses on her passion. In opera she goes even further than in real life; by not seeing, she tries to be seen herself.

Cast

Verity Wingate Luisa C.S. di Soncino

Polly Leech Romaine Brooks

Paride Cataldo Gabriele D’Annunzio

Paride Cataldo Garbi

Cameron Shahbazi Sergei Diaghilev Lucas van Lierop Man Ray Frederik Bergman Jacob Epstein

Dominic Kraemer Kees van Dongen

Sammy Carlson Filippo Marinetti

Metadata from the source database.