“Designer takis’ sets feature monumental panelling in dark wood and his costumes are straight out of the 1930s America… a delicious riot” — Bachtrack, David Karlin
“Then in Act Three it was all colour and movement as they showcased a series of dazzling costumes for the ball.” — Planet Hugill, Robert Hugill
The first revival of Rodula Gaitanou’s spectacular 2019 production of Verdi’s grand tragedy of illicit love and political turmoil. In mutual love with Amelia, the wife of his closest ally, cursed by a prophecy from a medium, and under threat from anti-monarchist conspirators, Gustavo must renounce his passion or his throne in Verdi’s 1859 tragedy of illicit love, political unrest and regicide in the court of Gustave III, King of Sweden.
Press
“With takis’ handsome, widely adaptable set and glamorous costumes for the masked ball itself – golden-age Hollywood is the visual inspiration here – and under Gaitanou’s taut, searching direction, it registers with striking power.” — George Hall, The Stage, 27 July 2026
“The dark wood sets by takis open out and interleave flexibly to suggest palace, hospital and street venues, and the costumes have colour and flair where needed, as in the seance and ballroom scenes, while keeping a consistent period feel – a film noir, 40s ambience dominates.” — Tim Hochstrasser, Plays to See, 28 July 2026
“The set, designed by takis, suggested Sweden’s strong history of design as it presented a beautiful wooden, box-like structure. At the start this felt very enclosed, but across the evening it opened out to create different formations for the various scenes.” — Sam Smith, musicOMH, 1 August 2026
Production page: Opera Holland Park · Reviews: Bachtrack, Planet Hugill