Barcelona Opera Hires Intimacy Director

It has become increasingly more common for film studios to employ specialists known as ‘intimacy directors’ to ensure actors of all sexes are comfortable with intimate scenes.

Me Too

This has stemmed in part from the revelations of the ‘Me Too Movement’ and has expanded following the revelations of the activities of movie predators such as Harvey Weinstein so that those taking part in intimate scenes don’t feel pressurised or uncomfortable.

Now it has gone a step further and moved into Spain and the world of opera as the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona has employed English consultant Ita O’Brien who has been developing her role of intimacy advisor since 2014.

She has been present at rehearsals of a new two-act opera, Antony and Cleopatra which is a joint commission between the Barcelona Opera House, San Francisco Opera and the Metropolitan Opera House in New York.

New opera

It was adapted from Shakespeare’s play of the same name by composer John Adams, who has worked with director Elkhanah Pulitzer and playwright Lucia Scheckner to combine the mythic image of antiquity with the glamour of 1930s Hollywood.

Passionate scenes

It’s a love affair which does involve various characters in a number of passionate scenes and after repeated claims of sexual impropriety by Spanish tenor Placido Domingo the Opera House clearly decided that it needed to ensure that there was no suggestion of indecency in this performance which opens on Saturday October 28.

According to Reuters, part of her work includes encouraging actors and singers to hug before rehearsals and to openly discuss any areas where they feel uncomfortable about being touched and whether they are prepared to be kissed or have reservations about love scenes.

Intimacy of Set

Ita O’Brien prepared the Intimacy On Set Guidelines in 2017 and has worked as a consultant with many international companies such as HBO and Netflix as well as training consultants through her company Intimacy on Set.