Representation of women - Iranian revolution 1979

 Before the revolution women had gained a lot of rights through the Pahlavi era, however once Khomeini came into ruling taking Iran back to it's traditional values, women lost many of the rights they had just gained once the Islamic laws were put in place. I want to represent this within the opera by having the women in military uniform then their costume gradually becoming more Islamic. However, I need to consider the modern views of today and what does wearing a Burqa or Hejab mean to different people?

Does is always represent oppression as a forced way of dress for women? As it can also represent women in a positive light too - as many strong powerful women wear the hejab because they want to - either as a political statement of equality or because of religious beliefs. It is a very touchy subject and I need to think carefully about how I can communicate these ideas with a modern audience.

I need to develop these ideas still...

Development of ideas..

When first reading and listening to the opera, my original thoughts were 'imagine if I designed this opera in a zoo'. I wanted to show how territorial and animal-istic people get during a war - all morals go out the window. I could picture characters and forces being released from cages like viscous animals out to attack each other like prey. This led me to think of cages.

I want to explore the theme of oppression and how I can use oppressive objects and symbols within the opera. The use of cages can be used within the opera to give different meanings -

1. Oppression and entrapment: the country as a whole which is suffering due to this civil war would feel trapped; they are caged within their own country - no freedom 

2. Rebellion: breaking free from a cage or barrier; fighting against a force, breaking free, uprising - fighting for freedom - going against laws and restrictions

3. Protection: cages also could act as a place of safety - there is fear at war and a cage could be seen as a safe place - barrier from evil and danger

I want to contrast these oppressive themes against this 'hope' and 'faith' from the Old Believer's of paradise. They believe of a better place and that they are on a journey from one world into the next - illusion of paradise 

Ivan and the Strelsty...

White card model... with initial story board

  

Key themes and initial ideas

My research mood boards - Iranian revolution 1979

Liverpool Cathedral

I originally was looking at 'Pitcher and Piano' in Nottingham as a space to use. Originally it was a church and has been developed into a bar; yet still contains the religious aspects and architecture. This interested me as it made me think of how within 'Khovanshchina', Peter the Great is trying to westernize Russia whilst the Old Belivers want to bring Russia back to its religious traditions. The way Pitcher and Piano is using an old church as a place of alcohol consumption is an interesting juxtaposition and suits the theme of the opera and can bring a lot to my context. 

However after visiting Pitcher and Piano, the space would not be big enough. Especially when remembering that there is 80 people within the orchestra; let alone 100 in the chorus and 500 audience members! So this made me consider the Liverpool Cathedral.

 A massive cathedral based in the city centre of Liverpool, this religious space is used for modern events such as music concerts; gigs; awards and parties! So using this space still would have the same effect the 'Pitcher and Piano' had in the sense it is a religious space used for modern and un-religious events.

I visited the Cathedral myself to discover and explore the space myself for inspiration; to understand the scale and get a feel of the atmosphere of the venue. 

What I love about this venue is there are three main linking spaces - the Nave, the main space and the choir! It is huge and there is lots of potential!