Three opera posters for the Bayerische Staatsoper, each featuring a loose, expressive painting of a face. The posters are titled “Pelléas et Mélisande”, “Arabella” and “Manon Lescaut”.

Bureau Mirko Borsche's sharp new poster designs for the Bayerische Staatsoper

Words: Maisie Skidmore
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Date: 15 May 2015; Work
Graphic Design

Is there no end to Bureau Mirko Borsche’s brilliance? Having already produced season after season’s worth of printed collateral for long-term client the Bayerische Staatsoper, Mirko’s eponymous studio has just released its newest collection of work for the theatre. Spanning a series of events entitled Die Unmögliche Enzyklopädie, plus posters for the house orchestra Bayerisches Staatsorcheter and premiere posters too, the newest selection might even be the most diverse to date.

The graphic black and white imagery for the Enzyklopädie was created in house, while the other projects were produced in collaboration with German artist Ulrike Theusner, whose unique, dynamic style perfectly offsets the familiar heavy header text of the opera house.

A black and white poster for the “Bayerische Staatsoper”. A large, abstract white scribble sits in the centre, topped with the word “Biographie”. Below the scribble, the text reads “Dienstag, 29. April 2014” and “Die Unmögliche Enzyklopädie No 28”. Small print at the bottom provides event details and a website. — Above
Bureau Mirko Borsche: Bayerische Staatsoper Posters

A painterly illustration of a face with blurred features and bright pink lips. The figure’s hands are raised to their chin in a gesture of distress. Text at the top reads “Bayerische Staatsoper”, with the date “Premiere 19.10.2014” and the name “Leoš Janáček”. Large text at the bottom reads “Die Sache Makropulos”. — Above
Bureau Mirko Borsche: Bayerische Staatsoper Posters

A black and white poster for the Bayerische Staatsoper. A single, thick black brushstroke slants across the centre, beneath the word “Berührung”. The bottom of the poster reads “20. Mai 2015” above the title “Die Unmögliche Enzyklopädie No 32”. Small text at the base provides venue and ticket information. — Above
Bureau Mirko Borsche: Bayerische Staatsoper Posters

A painting of a face in expressive red and blue brushstrokes, focusing on a wide, open mouth. The image is a poster for the Bayerische Staatsoper, with the title “Arabella” at the bottom. The top of the poster reads “Bayerische Staatsoper” in a bold serif font. Smaller text below notes the premiere date “06.07.2015” and the composer “Richard Strauss”. — Above
Bureau Mirko Borsche: Bayerische Staatsoper Posters

A black and white poster for the “Bayerische Staatsoper” featuring a classical stone bust of a head. A bold, black jagged line is drawn over the face, cutting across the eye and mouth. Text at the bottom reads “Die Unmögliche Enzyklopädie No 29” and lists the date “Dienstag, 3. Juni 2014”. — Above
Bureau Mirko Borsche: Bayerische Staatsoper Posters

A poster for the “Bayerisches Staatsorchester” featuring a colourful, expressionist painting of two creature-like figures with open mouths. Text on the sides lists composers “Dvořák – Rachmaninow” and performers “Gianandrea Noseda – David Schultheiss, Violine”. — Above
Bureau Mirko Borsche: Bayerische Staatsoper Posters

A painting on a poster for the Bayerische Staatsoper shows a figure with long red hair floating in pale blue water. The text “Pelléas et Mélisande” appears at the bottom, with “Premiere 28.06.2015” and “Claude Debussy” written at the top. — Above
Bureau Mirko Borsche: Bayerische Staatsoper Posters

A framed poster for the “Bayerisches Staatsorchester” featuring a colourful, expressionist painting of two people. The figures look at each other with a mix of affection and intensity. Text on the sides lists composers “Brahms – Nielsen – Debussy” and performers “Constantinos Carydis – Gerhard Oppitz, Klavier”. The bottom reads “Sal Oppenheim” and lists a concert date in January 2015. — Above
Bureau Mirko Borsche: Bayerische Staatsoper Posters

A black and white poster for the Bayerische Staatsoper reads “Bayerische Staatsoper” at the top and “Die Unmögliche Enzyklopädie No 30” at the bottom. In the centre, two hands hold the handles of a tangled whip, with the word “Peitsche” written above it. The date “22. Januar 2015” is printed above the bottom title. — Above
Bureau Mirko Borsche: Bayerische Staatsoper Posters

A painterly illustration of a person’s face on a poster for the Bayerische Staatsoper. The figure has wide eyes and holds a gold, jewelled object to their lips. The top of the poster reads “BAYERISCHE STAATSOPER” with the date “PREMIERE 15.11.2014” and the name “GIACOMO PUCCINI”. The bottom features the title “Manon Lescaut”. — Above
Bureau Mirko Borsche: Bayerische Staatsoper Posters

Further Info

www.mirkoborsche.com

About the Author

Maisie Skidmore

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Maisie joined It’s Nice That fresh out of university in the summer of 2013 as an intern before joining full time as an Assistant Editor. Maisie left It’s Nice That in July 2015.

Bureau Mirko Borsche's sharp new poster designs for the Bayerische Staatsoper

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