Jorge Lavelli facts for kids

Jorge Lavelli was a famous theatre and opera director.

Jorge Lavelli (born November 11, 1932 – died October 9, 2023) was a very talented theatre and opera director. He was born in Argentina to Italian parents, but he moved to France in the early 1960s and became a French citizen in 1977. He was known for his creative and unique ways of bringing plays and operas to life on stage.

Jorge Lavelli's Life and Career

Jorge Lavelli was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He started his career in theatre and quickly became known for his innovative ideas.

• Introducing New Plays: In 1963, he directed a play called The Marriage by Witold Gombrowicz. This was important because it was the first time French audiences got to see Gombrowicz's work. Lavelli later directed two more of Gombrowicz's plays: Yvonne, Princess of Burgundy (1965) and Operetta (1971).

• Working with Famous Artists: In 1967, Lavelli began working with Jean Vilar, another important figure in French theatre. Together, they staged plays like Goethe's Triumph of Sensitivity. He also worked with the surrealist painter Leonor Fini on the sets and costumes for The Cathedral of Love in 1969.

• Leading a National Theatre: From 1987 to 1996, Jorge Lavelli was the head of the Théâtre national de la Colline in Paris. This is a very important national theatre in France, and leading it showed how respected he was in the theatre world.

• Directing Many Works: Lavelli directed plays by many famous writers from around the world, including Shakespeare, Chekhov, and Arthur Miller. He also directed many operas by composers like Bizet, Debussy, and Prokofiev. He worked at major opera houses like the Paris Opera, the Vienna State Opera, and La Scala in Italy.

Jorge Lavelli passed away on October 9, 2023, when he was 90 years old.

Awards and Recognition

Jorge Lavelli received many awards for his amazing work in theatre and opera.

• Theatre Prizes: He won several theatre prizes in France, Spain, and Italy.
• French National Honors: He was given high honors by the French government. In 1993, he became a Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters, which recognizes people who have contributed greatly to the arts. In 1994, he became a Commander of the Legion of Honor, one of France's highest awards. He also received the National Order of Merit as a Chevalier (Knight) in 1992 and an Officer in 2002.
• Molière Award Nominations: He was nominated seven times for the Molière Award for best director. The Molière Awards are like the Tony Awards in the United States, celebrating excellence in French theatre. Even though he was nominated many times, he never won this particular award.

See also

In Spanish: Jorge Lavelli para niños