The prince in hunting costume

La sirène au pays des hommes was created on 20 March 1946 at the Monnaie Opera House. The libretto and music, inspired by Hans Christian Anderson’s tale, are by Belgian composer Léopold Samuel.

Numerous costume designs were necessary to portray the sea creatures, mermaids, tritons, naiads, nymphs and magicians, as well as the earthly princess and prince. This acquisition comprises twenty-one costume plates and ten set and stage designs for the production.

The prince in hunting costume shows a leotard with white frogging and a widely pleated skirt. A top hat, cravatte, boots and a switch complete the portrayal for this character. Every aspect of the role, the costume, materials and decorative elements is detailed with great precisions. This is characteristic of Edmond Delescluze’s costume designs, which were always extremely refined. Detail is also given to the faces, lending to each of the drawings the value of a work in its own right.

Bibliography:
Jacqueline Guisset, Une vie à l’opéra, La Renaissance du Livre, Crédit communal, 2000, p. 88-89.