Pierrick Sorin co-directs Rossini opera at Théâtre du Châtelet

In January 2007, French artist Pierrick Sorin, known for his self-filmed Super 8 and video works, collaborated with director Giorgio Barberio Corsetti to stage Rossini's 1812 opera La Pietra del paragone at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, with musical direction by Jean-Christophe Spinosi. Sorin, who previously had a solo exhibition at the Fondation Cartier in March 2001, created live video projections using small-scale models and blue-screen chroma key compositing, allowing singers to appear inserted into virtual environments visible on large screens at the back of the stage. The audience could see both the physical models and the resulting video montage, creating a multi-layered viewing experience. The production featured singers François Lis as Count Astrubal and Sonia Prina as Clarisse, with acrobat Julien Lambert adding physical comedy. The opera, which premiered at La Scala in Milan on September 26, 1812, when Rossini was twenty, was praised by Stendhal as Rossini's masterpiece in the comic genre. The libretto by Luigi Romanelli satirizes journalists and critics through characters Macrobio and Pacuvio. The production was recorded for television broadcast and DVD release. Critic Carole Boulbès noted the success of the live synchronization between video, the Ensemble Matheus orchestra, singers, and choir over two acts.