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L'Orfeo

on June 09, 2022
This is the page for the performance on June 09, 2022.
Music Claudio Monteverdi Text Alessandro Striggio
→ Favola in musica in fünf Akten und einem Prolog

Dress rehersal

Cast 09.06.2022

Conductor Pablo Heras-Casado
Production Tom Morris
Stage and Costume Design Anna Fleischle
Lighting Design James Farncombe
Video Nina Dunn
Choreographie & Bewegungsregie Jane Gibson Callum Hastie
Die Musik / Die Hoffnung / Echo Kate Lindsey
Orfeo Georg Nigl
Euridice Slávka Zámečníková
Botin / Proserpina Christina Bock
Plutone Andrea Mastroni
Caronte Wolfgang Bankl
Apollo Hiroshi Amako
Nymphe Antigoni Chalkia
Ein Hirte Iurii Iushkevich
Ein Hirte / Ein Geist Narumi Hashioka Aaron McInnis
Gastorchester Concentus Musicus Wien

Details

One of the most poignant love stories of all time: On the day of her wedding to Orfeo, Euridice dies of a snakebite. The distraught singer decides to descend into the underworld and bring back his beloved. In Tom Morris' production, the audience is invited to Orfeo and Euridice's wedding celebration and experiences the catastrophe that occurs at close quarters. Orfeo is confronted with the underworld of his unconscious as a result of the traumatic experience. Only when he has passed through the five stages of grief will he be able to accept the death of his beloved.

PLOT

Prologue

Music welcomes the guests. She praises the renowned singer Orfeo.


Act 1

It is Orfeo and Euridice’s wedding day. Shepherds and nymphs celebrate the couple with dances and songs. Orfeo is asked to sing. In his song he thanks the creator of the universe. He expresses his happiness at being united with Euridice. Euridice in turn sings of how joyful she is that Orfeo loves her. The God of Mar- riage is invoked, a ceremony takes place.


Act 2

Together with the shepherds, Orfeo praises the beauty of nature. He also recalls his past despair, and his happiness with Euridice seems all the more complete. A messenger arrives bringing terrible news: Euridice has died from snake venom. The mood of elation turns to horror. Orfeo refuses to accept this fate. Using his powers as a singer, he intends to enter the Underworld and bring Euridice back. If he does not succeed, he will remain with her in Hades, the realm of the dead.


Act 3

Hope has accompanied Orfeo to the entrance to Hades. The law prohibits her from continuing. She departs. As Orfeo laments her retreat, Caronte steps into his path. He is the ferryman who transports the dead across the River Styx. He refuses to let Orfeo cross the river. No living person is permitted to enter the realm of the dead.

– Interval –

Orfeo tries to soften Caronte’s heart with his singing. When the ferryman falls asleep, Orfeo steals his boat and crosses the river.


Act 4

Proserpina petitions her husband Plutone for Euridice’s release so that she can return to life with Orfeo. Out of love for his wife, the King of the Underworld agrees. However, he imposes one condition: Orfeo may not look back at Euridice as they ascend to the light. By way of thanks for his concession, Plutone asks Proserpina to refrain from making her annual visit to the world of the living in future.

Orfeo and Euridice set off. Orfeo is plagued by doubts as to whether Euridice is really following him. He turns back to her. Immediately he hears voices accusing him of breaking the law. Euridice disappears. Orfeo is left alone in despair.


Act 5

Orfeo is back in the world of the living. He cannot overcome his anguish at the loss of Euridice. An echo seems to comfort him, but above all it reflects his own despair. Orfeo once again praises his lost love and vilifies all other women. Apollo advises Orfeo not to succumb to his grief. Just as he had previously revelled greatly in his happiness, now he is becoming excessively immersed in his sorrow. He advises Orfeo to accept his fate and to ascend with him to heaven. There he will find Euridice’s likeness in the sun and in the stars. Orfeo agrees. Together Apollo and Orfeo sing of the peace that Orfeo now hopes to find. A ceremony of the living reaffirms this hope.