Beni Montresor facts for kids
Beni Montresor (born March 31, 1926 – died October 11, 2001) was a very talented Italian artist. He worked as an opera and film director, a set designer, an author, and a children's book illustrator. He won a special award called the Caldecott Medal in 1965 for his amazing illustrations in the U.S. picture book May I Bring a Friend?. The Italian government honored him in 1966 for his important contributions to the arts.
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Beni Montresor's Amazing Career
Montresor was especially well-known in the United States for creating the sets, lighting, and costumes for opera shows.
Designing for Opera and Theater
He designed the sets and costumes for an opera called The Last Savage when it first came to America in 1964. This show was at the Metropolitan Opera. He also created beautiful and unique scenery and lighting for another opera, The Love of Three Kings, in 1981.
From 1988 to 1989, he was the Artistic Director of the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, which is a famous opera house in Rome.
Directing Films and Working with Famous Directors
Beni Montresor also directed two movies. One was called Pilgrimage (1972) and the other was La Messe dorée (1975).
He was a set designer for both stage plays and films. He worked for many famous places like La Scala, Spoleto, the Glyndebourne Festival, the New York City Opera, and the Metropolitan Opera. Some of the operas he designed for include La Gioconda, Esclarmonde, The Last Savage, The Daughter of the Regiment, L'Elisir d'Amore, Aida, and The Magic Flute.
Montresor also worked with very famous film directors. These included Federico Fellini, Vittorio De Sica, and Roberto Rossellini.
Broadway Shows
Between 1964 and 1986, Montresor also designed for Broadway shows. He worked on a play called Marco Millions and two new musicals: Do I Hear a Waltz? and Rags.
Later Life
Beni Montresor passed away in Verona, Italy, on October 11, 2001. He was 75 years old.
