Teatro alla Scala, 2023/2024 Season

Directing La Rondine allowed me to infuse Puccini’s work with my love for classic Hollywood musicals. I approached this production through the eyes of an imaginary character, Anna, a young choreographer making her debut as an opera director. Anna, played by Anna Olkhovaya, became my alter ego, embodying many of my questions and dreams about the influence of romantic films, literature, and opera on the female psyche.

Rondine, to me, is a “spirit animal” – a representation of a free soul that refuses to be controlled, always striving to live freely and encourage others to do the same. I wanted to bring this idea to life through a production inspired by the glamour and whimsy of Hollywood’s golden age.

I also wanted to explore the “theatre within the theatre” concept, using Anna as a director figure within the story. The entire first act takes place on what feels like a stage, with racks of costumes and dressers bustling about as the characters prepare, blurring the lines between performance and reality. This process brought a fresh perspective to Magda’s journey, with Anna sometimes embodying her double.

My aim was to celebrate the romance, freedom, and nostalgia of classic musicals, while staying true to Puccini’s emotional depth. Through this lens, I hoped to create an experience that was authentic and deeply moving, inviting audiences to see opera in a new light.