Roller, Alfred#
Roller, Alfred, b. Brno, Czech Republic (then Bruenn), Oct. 2, 1864, d. Vienna, June 21, 1935, set designer, painter, graphic artist. Studied architecture and painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna, 1897 co-founder and 1902 president of the Vienna Secession. From 1899 professor, from 1909 director of the School of Arts and Crafts in Vienna; 1903 G. Mahler brought him to the Court Opera, where he was responsible for sets and costumes until 1909. In congenial collaboration with Mahler, who shared his ideals, reformed scenic art with the intention of making theatre into a total work of art combining space, colour and light with music, word and gestures. After 1909 created scenic designs for many theatres, including the Burgtheater, 1918 returned to the Opera under F. Schalk and R. Strauss and was in charge of the sets and costumes for all the Strauss premières in Vienna; close co-operation with M. Reinhardt, from 1929 teacher at the Vienna Reinhardt Seminar (drama school).
Literature#
L. Kitzwegerer, A. R. als Buehnenbildner, doctoral thesis, Vienna 1959; E. and W. Greisenegger and O. Pausch (eds.), A. R. und seine Zeit, exhibition catalogue, Vienna 1991; E. Baker and O. Pausch, Das Archiv A. R., 1994; M. Wagner, A. R. in seiner Zeit, 1996.