Page to Stage: Ernani

See the spectacular designs for Verdi's masterpiece come to life.

Ernani at Sydney Opera House (2021). Photo: Prudence Upton

Ernani at Sydney Opera House (2021). Photo: Prudence Upton

Verdi's fifth opera, Ernani, is a story of love, betrayal, duty and honour. It's one of the composer's most captivating scores, and also an excuse for lavish period costumes, masks and headdresses.

Costume designer Kevin Pollard and scenic designer Julian Crouch pull out all the stops in our epic co-production with La Scala. See some of their original sketches below and how they've come to life on stage at the Sydney Opera House.

Kevin Pollard's costume sketches and Natalie Aroyan as Elvira in Ernani at Sydney Opera House (2021). Photo: Prudence Upton.

Kevin Pollard's costume sketches and Natalie Aroyan as Elvira in Ernani at Sydney Opera House (2021). Photo: Prudence Upton.

Kevin Pollard's costume sketch and Diego Torre in Ernani at the Sydney Opera House (2021). Photo: Prudence Upton.

Kevin Pollard's costume sketch and Diego Torre in Ernani at the Sydney Opera House (2021). Photo: Prudence Upton.

Julian Crouch's set model for Ernani.

Ernani at Sydney Opera House (2021). Photo: Prudence Upton.

Julian Crouch's set model for Ernani.

Ernani at Sydney Opera House (2021). Photo: Prudence Upton.

Kevin Pollard's costume sketch and Vitalij Kowaljow as Don Ruy Gomez de Silva in Ernani at Sydney Opera House (2021). Photo: Prudence Upton.

Kevin Pollard's costume sketch and Vitalij Kowaljow as Don Ruy Gomez de Silva in Ernani at Sydney Opera House (2021). Photo: Prudence Upton.

Kevin Pollard's costume sketches for Ernani.

Natalie Aroyan and Diego Torre in Ernani at Sydney Opera House (2021). Photo: Prudence Upton.

Kevin Pollard's costume sketches for Ernani.

Natalie Aroyan and Diego Torre in Ernani at Sydney Opera House (2021). Photo: Prudence Upton.

Kevin Pollard's costume sketch and Vladimir Stoyanov as Don Carlo King of Spain in Ernani at Sydney Opera House (2021). Photo: Prudence Upton.

Kevin Pollard's costume sketch and Vladimir Stoyanov as Don Carlo King of Spain in Ernani at Sydney Opera House (2021). Photo: Prudence Upton.

Kevin Pollard's costume sketches for Ernani.

The Opera Australia Chorus in Ernani at Sydney Opera House (2021). Photo: Prudence Upton.

Kevin Pollard's costume sketches for Ernani.

The Opera Australia Chorus in Ernani at Sydney Opera House (2021). Photo: Prudence Upton.