Rebecca is a London-based artist, with a narrative style that comes from her training as an illustrator. Her love of nature is visible throughout her art. She has travelled extensively, and the earth colours and bold designs of her art are particularly inspired by her travels in India and her love of Mughal miniatures.

She said: “I was absolutely delighted to hear that I had been chosen to illustrate the Opera Holland Park 2020 Season, with the chance to paint all the drama that opera brings.”

The theme of the 2020 Season as a whole is First Love, Lost Love, and this is reflected throughout the artwork, as Rebecca explains in her introduction to each piece.

Eugene Onegin

“This painting depicts the pain of unrequited love. The scene, set outside Tatyana’s family’s country house, sees her pining for the love of Onegin, who has completely dismissed her. In the distance, a different drama is unfolding. Onegin’s friend, Lensky, has challenged him to a duel after finding Onegin flirting with his fiancé. The consequences will be dire.”

Rigoletto

“Here are the two faces of Rigoletto. The first, facing his daughter Gilda as a loving father, protecting her from the ways of the world by keeping her hidden. The second, facing the Duke as the Mantuan court jester. The Duke is duplicitous and corrupt, and manages to bypass him to the affections of the naive Gilda, again, with dire consequences.”

The Merry Widow

“Fun, fun, fun! In Act 3 of the opera, The Merry Widow, Hanna throws a Maxim themed ball complete with can-can dancers. In this playground, all the dramas of love and wealth are resolved, and everyone enjoys a happy ending.”

Margot la Rouge/Le Villi

“I have presented this double bill as one painting. The top half depicts Margot la Rouge, the bottom, a scene from Le Villi. Both have deadly consequences.

“The image of Margot la Rouge is set in a Parisian brothel masquerading as a bar. In the final tragic scene, Margot stabs the Artist, who has already killed her childhood sweetheart, Thibault.

“In Le Villi, Roberto is seen in the forest trying to flee his tormentors, the Villi. These spirits seek revenge on anyone that has reneged on their sweetheart, by making them dance to death. He was betrothed to Anna – now one of the Villi – but he betrayed her and she died of a broken heart.”

 

Find out more about the 2020 Season here, including the newly announced lists of cast and creatives.

 

Rebecca Campbell’s Bio

Rebecca Campbell is an established English artist, living and working in London. Her influences are eclectic: a love of nature came from growing up in the Irish countryside with a menagerie of animals and birds, as well as being surrounded by the most beautiful gardens. She has travelled extensively; the biggest impact came from her three months spent in India. These influences remain the bedrock of much of her work today.

Her armoury of skills is impressive, incorporating paintings, murals, panels and design work. She has been showing her paintings with Jonathan Cooper, London, since 2002 as well as in the States, Mexico and Canada. Her work has been published worldwide in many books, magazines, cards. She has also taken part in many large public art events, including for the charity Elephant Family.

She is represented by Bridgeman Art Library for licensing.

Find out more about Rebecca and her work here: www.rebeccacampbell.co.uk