Monteverdi’s poignant and revolutionary take on the Orpheus legend, often considered the first operatic masterpiece.
L’Orfeo will be performed on period instruments by Venetian Baroque specialists La Serenissima, conducted by Robert Howarth (The Return of Ulysses 2021) and directed by Olivia Fuchs, returning following our acclaimed Cunning Little Vixen in 2021.
CONDUCTING FROM THE HARPSICHORD, ROBERT HOWARTH DRAWS SEEMINGLY ENDLESS VARIETY FROM A SMALL INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE, REFLECTING THE EVOLUTIONS OF THE DRAMA AND MONTEVERDI’S PRODIGIOUS INVENTION
★ ★ ★ ★ The Stage (The Return of Ulysses, 2021)
DIRECTOR OLIVIA FUCHS WELDED THIS LARGE, DIVERSE, AND YOUTHFUL COMPANY INTO A REAL ENSEMBLE
★ ★ ★ ★ Plays to See (The Cunning Little Vixen, 2021)
PETER GIJSBERTSEN’S PORTRAYAL IS OF A TORTURED SOUL...SHOWING MOST EFFECTIVELY HIS MIX OF BARITONAL COLOUR ALONG WITH THE TENOR HIGHS
The Guardian (Carmen, 2022)
Euridice and Orfeo, a famous singer, celebrate their love for each other with friends and family while preparations for their wedding are in full swing.
Orfeo and his band give a concert to their friends and fans. They are interrupted by the terrible news of Euridice’s death. Orfeo is grief stricken, and everyone mourns the tragedy.
Orfeo resolves to find Euridice in the underworld. He has to persuade Charon, the underworld’s ferryman, to allow him to cross the river to the land of the dead, where no living person has ever been allowed to enter. At first unmoved, Charon eventually is lulled to sleep by Orfeo’s singing, allowing him to cross over into the underworld.
Pluto and Proserpina, King and Queen of the Underworld, watch Orfeo search for Euridice, and Proserpina pleads for Euridice’s release. Pluto is persuaded, on condition that Orfeo does not look back while he leads Euridice out of the underworld.
Reunited with Euridice, Orfeo rejoices as he ascends to the land of the living. Eventually he cannot help himself, and glances over his shoulder to be sure that Euridice is still following him. She is immediately returned to the underworld.
Orfeo laments his fate summoning all of nature to join him in mourning. At the point of his deepest despair the sun god Apollo, Orfeo’s father, offers him help and immortal love.
