‘Ce désert est faux’: Thoughts on Restaging Constança Capdeville’s Scenic Works

Abstract

ABSTRACT The oeuvre of Constança Capdeville (1937–1992) includes a significant body of music theatre works that represent a challenge for restaging. The lack of systematic information makes it necessary for those who have worked with her to bequeath a living testimony of her work, whose conceptual approach represents an enrichment of the Portuguese musical panorama. ‘Ce désert est faux’—Constança Capdeville in memoriam (2012) is a music theatre performance based entirely on Capdeville’s music theatre works, proposing a stage production enacted in her spirit. In fact, from the choice of works and excerpts to be included in the performance to their distribution and staging, the main objective guiding this project aims to establish a context that would allow for Capdeville’s music theatre works to be experienced just as they were conceived. The strategies respecting Capdeville’s typical procedures are also discussed in this study.