Milan Ferenčík

Biography

Milan Ferenčík studied at the College of Applied Art and Design, and subsequently at the Faculty of Drama of the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava (specializing in Stage Design, under Professor Ladislav Vychodil). From 1979–1988 he was engaged as stage designer in residence at the Andrej Bagár Theatre of Nitra, Slovakia, where he created around 40 stage projects. He simultaneously worked with Slovak Television (on approximately 100 television productions and several films), and with the Slovak National Theatre in Bratislava (around 40 opera productions). His most remarkable achievements at the Slovak National Theatre have included sets for its productions of Boito´s Mefistofele; Verdi´s Otello; Aida; and Un ballo in maschera; Puccini´s Tosca; Wagner´s Tannhäuser; Dvořák´s Rusalka; and the ballet, Children of Titanic (choreography by New York´s Christopher d'Amboise). From 1997–1999 he worked with the Prague National Theatre, on its ballet productions, Isadora Duncan and Onegin. On a commission from the Japanese agency, NASA, he designed sets for a production of Tosca. In 1992 he set up his own independent studio (Art Design Ateliér 1), concentrating on interior and exhibition design and realization. In 1998 the studio was involved in the realization of the World EXPO in Lisbon, Portugal. Of its many exhibition design projects, major realizations over the past few years have included the shows of Italian Opera in Slovakia (Zvolen Chateau, 1993 and Bratislava Castle, 1997); Verdi in Slovakia (Cultural Centre in Piešťany, 1993); Historical Premises of the Slovak National Theatre (City of Bratislava Gallery, 1996); Homage to Opera Stage Design (Slovak National Theatre, Bratislava); and Visual Arts 1970–1985 (SDG, Bratislava). With the stage director Zdeněk Troška, Milan Ferenčík prepared Dvořák’s Rusalka for the State Theatre in Košice (2006) and Gounod’s Faust (2007). For the Prague State Opera Milan Ferenčík designed sets for Bizet’s Carmen (opening performance 11 March 2004) and Dvořák’s Rusalka (premiere 5 May 2005).

Update: November 2010