French opera director and artist. Born in Paris. He began his theatre career in 1952 in Germany as a set designer for a production of Hans Henze's opera "Boulevard of Loneliness". He was significantly influenced by the work of theatre artist and set designer Georges Wakhévitch. He staged his first production as a director in 1962 – it was Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde" in Düsseldorf. His production of the same opera at the Bayreuth Festival in 1981 was hailed by critics as one of the most aesthetically perfect in the festival's history.
Ponnelle's productions were staged at the world's leading opera houses – the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, La Scala, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Bavarian State Opera, Zurich Opera, Vienna State Opera, the Salzburg Festival, and others; some remain in the repertoire to this day, notably "La Clemenza di Tito" and "Idomeneo" at the Metropolitan Opera. Many of Ponnelle's productions were recorded on video and released on DVD.
Jean-Pierre Ponnelle died in 1988 in Munich following an injury sustained from a fall into the orchestra pit during a rehearsal of the opera "Carmen".
Ponnelle's productions were staged at the world's leading opera houses – the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, La Scala, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Bavarian State Opera, Zurich Opera, Vienna State Opera, the Salzburg Festival, and others; some remain in the repertoire to this day, notably "La Clemenza di Tito" and "Idomeneo" at the Metropolitan Opera. Many of Ponnelle's productions were recorded on video and released on DVD.
Jean-Pierre Ponnelle died in 1988 in Munich following an injury sustained from a fall into the orchestra pit during a rehearsal of the opera "Carmen".
