Pier Luigi Pizzi Turns 90: A Life in Scenography and Costume Design
Pier Luigi Pizzi, the renowned Italian scenographer and costume designer, marks his 90th birthday. He was born in Milan in 1930 and began his artistic journey at the age of 17 at the Piccolo Teatro di Milano, making his scenography debut in 1949. Pizzi has made significant contributions to opera and theater globally, co-founding the Compagnia dei giovani during the 1950s. His first opera was Mozart's Don Giovanni, which premiered in Genoa in 1952. He played a key role in reviving Baroque opera during the 1980s and 1990s. In 2008, he was awarded an Honorary Degree from the University of Macerata and served as artistic director of the Sferisterio from 2006 to 2011. Future projects include exhibitions at the Palace of Versailles and Museo Teatrale alla Scala, with a public celebration scheduled for June 15, 2020.
Key facts
- Pier Luigi Pizzi turns 90 in 2020.
- Born in Milan in 1930.
- Began career at Piccolo Teatro di Milano under Giorgio Strehler in 1947.
- Debuted as scenographer in 1949.
- Co-founded Compagnia dei giovani in the 1950s.
- Opera debut: Don Giovanni in Genoa, 1952.
- Revived Baroque opera in the 1980s-1990s.
- Received Honorary Degree from University of Macerata in 2008.
- Artistic director of Sferisterio, Macerata (2006-2011).
- Awarded Grande Ufficiale al merito della Repubblica Italiana.
- Curated exhibitions at Palazzo Reale di Milano (2001) and Palace of Versailles.
- Consulted on interior decoration for La Fenice and Palazzo Mocenigo.
- Owns a collection of 17th-century paintings.
- Upcoming: Versailles exhibition on Hyacinthe Rigaud, Scala exhibition, Palazzo Ducale and Palazzo Fortuny projects.
- Public celebration on June 15, 2020, via Facebook Live from La Fenice.
Entities
Artists
- Pier Luigi Pizzi
- Giorgio Strehler
- Giorgio de Lullo
- Romolo Valli
- Rossella Falk
- Gianfranco De Bosio
- Luigi Squarzina
- Luca Ronconi
- Mario Ferrero
- Tennessee Williams
- Mozart
- Haendel
- Gluck
- Rameau
- Bertoni
- Rossini
- Monteverdi
- Verdi
- Luigi XIV
- Luigi XV
- Hyacinthe Rigaud
- De Sica
- Morandi
- Sironi
- Casorati
- Fortunato Ortombina
- Federica Lonati
Institutions
- Piccolo Teatro di Milano
- Compagnia dei giovani
- La Scala
- La Fenice
- Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
- Festival Rossini di Pesaro
- Sferisterio
- University of Macerata
- Accademia di Belle Arti di Bologna
- Palazzo Reale di Milano
- Reggia di Versailles
- Palazzo Mocenigo
- Museo del profumo
- Gran Palais
- Louvre
- Museo Teatrale alla Scala
- Palazzo Ducale
- Palazzo Fortuny
- Soprintendenza alle Belle arti di Venezia
- Artribune
Locations
- Milan
- Italy
- Rome
- Paris
- Venice
- Genoa
- Macerata
- Pesaro
- Florence
- Spoleto
- Versailles
- Europe
- Asia
- America
- South America