Oliver Messel “Gloriana” 1953 Coronation Royal Gala Performance Royal Opera Covent Garden Programme
$750
[4] pp.
1953
15 1/2" x 10 1/2"
Oliver Messel (1904–1978)
"Gloriana" by Benjamin Britten (1913–1976)
Original Programme for Royal Gala Performance for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
Royal Opera House, London
Printed by Eaton Press, Liverpool
8th June 1953
Measures:-
26.7 cm x 39.4 cm
Cover designed by Oliver Messel incorporating "OM" monogram. Gilt cord and tassels to spine.
A large souvenir programme for the Royal Gala Performance of Benjamin Britten's "Gloriana" - commissioned to commemorate the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The opera starred Peter Pears as Robert Devereaux, Earl of Essex and Joan Cross as Queen Elizabeth I. The costumes and scenery were designed by John Piper CH (1903-1992).
Oliver Messel designed the special decorations of the Theatre, Entrance Hall and Crush Bar.
Flowers by Constance Spry
Designer Oliver Messel’s fantastic, imaginative approach and his feel for grand occasions meant that he was in great demand to design temporary decorations for balls, marriage receptions and parties. Prestigious commissions included the decoration of royal boxes for gala performances at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and temporary decorations for the exterior of the Dorchester Hotel, London, on the occasion of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. Typically, he would transform the setting using luxurious fabrics to disguise architectural lines, then embellish the fabrics with garlands of flowers and introduce special lighting effects.
This design is for the Royal Box at the Royal Opera House for the premiere of Benjamin Britten’s opera Gloriana, which took place on 8 June 1853. The performance celebrated the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and was attended by the new Queen. Messel hung a tent-like gold canopy over the three bays and lined the box in pale gold silk made by Sekers, the silk manufacturer. The balconies were also festooned with green garlands and flowers.
The official Royal Box at the Opera House is situated one box away from the stage, which means that, although the public has a good view of the Royal party, they have a very odd view of performances as most of the stage is obscured. The box is also directly above the brass section of the orchestra. Therefore, for most galas from the late 1940s onwards, a Royal Box was created in the centre of the Grand Tier (equivalent of the Dress Circle in most theatres), which gave the Royal party an excellent view of the full stage.
Great Britain’s leading theatre designer from the early 1930s to the mid 1950s, Oliver Messel (1904-1978) won international acclaim for his lavish, painterly and poetic designs informed by period styles. His work spans ballet, drama, film, musical, opera and revue. Messel’s traditional style of theatre design became unfashionable from the mid 1950s onwards, and he increasingly concentrated on painting, interior and textile design, including designing luxury homes in the Caribbean.