#irina ioana baiant

[operafantomet]

BLONDE CHRISTINES (2004 EDITION)

Susan Cuthbert, Toronto (1989-1992): She started out with brown wig and it's also what her official photos shows. But soon she was fitted with a blonde wig, and it can be seen in some very few curtain call / backstage photos.

Emmi Christensson, West End (2014-2016): Whereas her 2016-2017 Stockholm wig was exceptionally dark, her West End wig was all blonde. Quite the contrast.

Renata Krassy, Budapest (2003-2023): The Hungarian Christines originally wore their own hair, with the addition of large curly extensions hidden under a braid. This meant that many different haircolours was seen. Renata Krassy was definitely the blondest.

Linda Kiraly, Budapest (2003-2004): Another of the original Hungarian Christines. She also featured her own hair over the forehead/braid, but more highlighted and with darker areas and lighter extensions.

Hanna-Liina Võsa, Tallin and Tartu (2014, 2017-2018). The original Estonian production featured one blonde and one brunette Christine, who alternated equally in the role. Hanna-Liina was the blonde one. For her run in Finland she wore a red wig.

Hanna Ulvan, Kristianstad (2023). Whereas the original Christine in this production wore a red wig, Hanna Ulvan wore a fairly classic curly blonde one. This as a contrast to her Stockholm replica wig, which was fairly dark brown.

Irina Ioana Baiant, Bucharest (2015 / 2022-2023). She is possibly the only Christine to feature two different blonde hairdos in two different non-replica productions, but in the same city. For the original Romanian production she wore her own hair, curled and draped up at one side. It looks like she's still wearing her own hair in the new production, but longer, and with the hair pulled back over the forehead.

Mira Ormala, Oslo (2018): When the Romanian production was revamped for Norway, Christine got a wig. A quite curly one, with hair asymmetrically draped over the temples. She also wore an own bead-decorated updo wig for Masquerade.

Astrid Giske, Oslo (2018-2019): When Astrid Giske took over as principal from Mira Ormala, she wore a similar wig, but a hint darker, and with bigger, thicker locks. She also donned the updo wig for Masquerade. Her understudy Charlotte Brænna was seen with the same look for her one Christine performance.

Amy Manford, Thessaloniki and Athens (2020): Whereas Amy Manford wore a regular curly brown wig in West End and the Restaged Tour, her Greek look was a big blonde wig with styling not too unlike the replica wigs.

Celinde Schoenmaker, Thessaloniki and Athens (2020): She and Amy Manford shared the role, and they also wore fairly similar wigs. Celinde had previously worn an auburn/honey-coloured wig in West End.

Harriet Jones, Athens and Thessaloniki, Middle East and European Tour (2023-2024): She has worn so many different Christine wigs it's not even funny! For this production she first wore a long, sleek blonde wig with more waves than curls, and with a middle-parted hairdo - reminding of her original light auburn West End wig, except of course the colour. After Greece she was fitted with a shorter and much curlier wig with side drape. Her co-Christine (next) as well as u/s Bridget Costello, Jessica Hackett and Grace Chapman also donned this style.

Georgia Wilkinson, Athens and Thessaloniki, Middle East and European Tour (2023-2024). Sharing the role with Harriet Jones, they have worn similar wigs too. Georgia also started out with a long, sleek blonde wig, hers being more platinum blonde. After Greece she donned the same shorter, curlier wig with side drape. This as a contrast to her Sydney look, which was darker brown and styling wise somewhere in between.

Talía del Val, Madrid (2023-2024): So why do I list Talía del Val and not Amelia Milo, who originated this look? Good question. Even if both of them have an undefined brown/blonde honey shade, Talía just appears a nudge blonder to my eyes, while Amelia's wig is more ashy blonde/brown. But only cosmetically so. They could both be listed - but here's Talía.

Judith Torbella, Madrid (2023-2024): Like the wig of Talía, this wig is a borderline case. It can look honey blonde, it can look more brown. But I include this one too as an example. Also interesting to see how much lighter it is than the understudies, for example Laura Enrech's reddish brown wig.

NOTE: This is not a complete list. There is a long row of lovely understudies I could not depict due to photoset limitations. But I hope it shows some of the main styles and productions out there.

[wheel-of-fish]

Blonde Christines!

Date ranges are approximate. Special thanks to @operafantomet, whose blog filled in the gaps in my knowledge.

[redazionecultura]

"La Cenerentola" di Gioacchino Rossini al Teatro Verdi di Padova

“La Cenerentola” di Gioacchino Rossini al Teatro Verdi di Padova

Lanciare uno sguardo all’infanzia, lasciarsi ispirare dai bambini, recuperare il mondo di fiaba che ognuno cela tra i propri ricordi. Nasce così la versione di “Cenerentola, ossia la bontà in trionfo” con la quale la Stagione lirica di Padova chiude il 2018.

L’appuntamento è per sabato 29 dicembre alle ore 20:45 e lunedì 31, ore 20:45, al Teatro Verdi di Padova dove andrà in scena “La…

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A post shared by Irina Baianț | Soprano (@irinabaiant)

Great in-depth video showing lots anf lots of clips from the new Romanian production, designed by Gary McCann. The clips feature Adrian Nour (Phantom), Irina Baiant (Christine) and Kyrie Mendell (Raoul), as well as the director, designer and producer.

[operafantomet]

The Romanian / Norwegian / Greek / Middle East + European Tour version is really starting to hit many countries and cities now. Along with some photos of the current cast (from the respective webpages I have linked to underneath), here's a complete overview to where it has played so far, and where it will play in 2024-2025 (*):

JAN 2015: Teatrul National de Opereta, Budapest, ROMANIA. This was the prototype, directed by Stephen Barlow and designed by Andrew Riley. Leading trio was Adrian Nour, Irina Ioana Baiant and Florian Ristei, and it was performed in Romanian.

SEPT 2018 - MARCH 2019: Folketeateret, Oslo, NORWAY. This was a much updated version of the original Romanian production, with new costumes, and revamped sets and effects. Leading trio was Espen Grjotheim, Mira Ormala / Astrid Giske and Carl Lindquist, and it was performed in Norwegian.

JAN - MAR 2020: Thessaloniki Concert Hall and Christmas Theatre in Athens, GREECE. This was pretty much the Oslo production, but with some changes for tourability. From Greece on it has only been performed in English, regardless of the location. The original leading trio in Greece was Ben Forster, Celinde Schoenmaker / Amy Manford and Nadim Naaman. The production closed earlier than announced due to Covid.

FEB - MARCH 2023: Christmas Theatre in Athens and Thessaloniki Concert Hall, GREECE. Back in Greece, still in English, still an international cast, even more set and costume changes. This time the leading trio was Tim Howar, Harriet Jones / Georgia Wilkinson and Nadim Naaman.

OCT - DEC 2023: The Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Continuing most of what was the case in Greece, except Nadim Naaman took over the role of the Phantom from Tim Howar, and Dougie Carter took over as Raoul. Was now dubbed "The Middle East Tour". It was the first time a full-scale production of Phantom of the Opera was done in Saudi Arabia.

FEB - MARCH 2024: Dubai Opera, Dubai. Same cast and overall set-up as Riyadh. This production followed in the footsteps of the World Tour (original version), visiting Dubai in 2019.

APRIL 2024: National Palace of Culture, Sofia, BULGARIA. Same cast and overall set-up as Riyadh and Dubai. This was, I think, the first time a city has housed two different non-replica productions. Not at the same time, mind you, as this version touring has meant the local productions are now allowed to perform for some time. This was at least what was announced from the producers in Bulgaria, Serbia and the Czech Republic. Curious.

AUG - SEPT. 2024: National Palace of Culture, Sofia, BULGARIA. The production has announced its return to Sofia this autumn. This due to the sold-out initial run.

OCT 2024: Sagros Campo Pequeno, Lisbon, PORTUGAL. The production has announced a run there from October 15-27, 2024. A concert version has previously been performed in Portugal, but it will be the first time a full-scale production is done.

NOV - DEC 2024: Musical Theater Basel, Switzerland. The production has announced a run there from Nov. 6 to Dec 22, 2024. The original Swiss production 1995-1997 did a hardcore thing of perfoming in both German and English. It will therefore not be the first time POTO is performed there, nor the first time it is performed in English. But it is the first time this exact version visits, and the 1995-1997 one was the original version.

FEB - MARCH 2025: Stadsschouwburg, Antwerp, Belgium. The production has announced a run there from Feb. 6 to March 7, 2025. The original Belgian production ran from 1999-2000, and was performed in the local language, but it will be the first time it is performed in English. It will as such also be the 10th anniversary for this specific touring version, as it premiered in Romania in January 2015.

MARCH 2025: Kongresove Centrum, Prague, Czech Republic. The production has announced a run there from March 19-27, 2025. This means the local production 'Fantom Opery' at Goja Music Hall has been paused. According to the official website the Phantom will be Nadim Naaman, the role of Christine will be shared between Georgia Wilkinson and Bridget Costello, and Raoul will be Dougie Carter.

(*) More dates will likely follow. Kuwait was announced some time back, but cannot be found anywhere now. Also, the local Serbian production announced a break because another version was visiting, so I won't be surprised if Belgrade is added to the list later on.

[operafantomet]

Some new (to me) photos from the new Romanian production, taken in 2023 and from an interview with Irina Ioana Baiant

[operafantomet]

Mirror scene in Andrew Riley's design

ROW 1: Romania (Irina Ioana Baiant and Adrian Nour)

ROW 2: Norway (Mira Ormala and Espen Grjotheim)

ROW 3: Greece, big mirror (Amy Manford and Ben Forster)

ROW 4: Greece and Dubai, small mirror (Amy Manford and Ben Forster / Georgia Wilkinson and Dougie Carter)

Often things become more opulent along the way. But in Greece they introduced the smaller mirror, and it seems this has become the preferred one. Probably easier to store backstage as well as tour. I think it's a pity, as Christine sitting in the round frame is such a beautiful visual, both live and in photos. The smaller mirror, with Christine sitting on the floor, looks... eeeh. I hope the big one makes a comeback in Dubai!

[operafantomet]

Elissa / Think of Me in Andrew Riley’s design

Irina Ioana Baiant in Romania 2015 (first costume)

Irina Ioana Baiant in Romania 2015 (first costume)

Irina Ioana Baiant in Romania 2015 (second costume)

Mira Ormala in Norway 2018 (new costume)

Mira Ormala in Norway 2018

Astrid Giske in Norway 2018

Celinde Schoenmaker or Amy Manford in Greece 2020

Amy Manford in Greece 2020

Harriet Jones in Greece 2023 (new costume)

[operafantomet]

“Angel of Music” in Andrew Riley’s design

Irina Ioana Baiant and Alexandra Giurca, Romania 2015

Irina Ioana Baiant and Alexandra Giurca, Romania 2015

Mira Ormala and Charlotte Brænna, Norway 2018

Mira Ormala and Charlotte Brænna, Norway 2018

Astrid Giske and Charlotte Brænna, Norway 2018

Amy Manford and Daisy Hulbert, Greece 2020

Amy Manford and Daisy Hulbert, Greece 2020

Harriet Jones and Kelsi Boyden, Greece 2023

[operafantomet]

“Little Lotte” in Andrew Riley’s design

Irina Ioana Baiant and Florian Ristei, Romania 2015

Astrid Giske and Carl Lindquist, Norway 2018

Astrid Giske and Carl Lindquist, Norway 2018

Mira Ormala, Carl Lindquist and Espen Grjotheim, Norway 2018

Mira Ormala and Carl Lindquist, Norway 2018

Amy Manford and Nadim Naaman, Greece 2020

Amy Manford and Chris McGuigan, Greece 2020

Harriet Jones and Nadim Naaman, Greece 2023

[operafantomet]

“Point of No Return / Down Once More” in Romania, featuring Adrian Nour (Phantom) and Irina Ioana Baiant (Christine) ( from here )

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Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again in Romania / Norway / Greece

(Irina Baiant, Astrid Giske, Celinde Schoenmaker and Amy Manford)

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“...and listen to the Music of the Night...”

(MOTN in Romania / Norway / Greece)

[operafantomet]

Christine reading the Phantom’s music (Romania/Norway/Greece)

Irina Ionana Baiant and Adrian Nour, Bucharest

Astrid Giske and Espen Grjotheim, Oslo

Amy Manford and Ben Forster, Athens

Astrid Giske and Espen Grjotheim, Oslo

Astrid Giske and Andreas Hoff, Oslo

Astrid Giske, Oslo

Astrid Giske, Oslo

Astrid Giske, Oslo

Design by Andrew Riley, directed by Stephen Barlow

[operafantomet]

Three slight Christine costume variations in Andrew Riley’s design

The Romanian Elissa costume came in two versions - one with a gold lurex “singlet”, and one with a cinnamon satin bodice with puffed sleeves. None of these reappeared in Norway; instead they did a red and blue corseted, pointed bodice with beaded neck and arm drapes.

In the Mirror scene in Romania, Christine wore white knickers and a balconette like corselet, under a white dressing gown. In Norway they kept the main design, but with Christine in a stiffer corset. Though for some reason, u/s Charlotte Brænna appeared in the Hannibal Slavegirl bodice in the mirror scene. I don’t know if this was due to a costume mishap or an emergency solution of sorts.

In “Point of No Return” in Romania, Christine wore a black blouse and golden skirt with red scarf, and with her regular blonde hair. In Norway this was changed to a burgundy corset and skirt with burgundy and golden skirt. She also donned a dark wig with red rose for the occasion - one that was removed before “Down once more”. This dark wig appeared in rehearsals in Greece, but does not seem to appear in the actual performances. Instead they wear the regular blonde wig, but with the addition of a white silk ribbon.

[operafantomet]

Some hithero unseen performance photos from POTO Romania (2015) ( x )

The leads were Adrian Nour, Irina Ioana Baiant and Florin Ristei