ORFEO Monteverdi – Garsington Opera

Orpheus sings his way to the underworld in pursuit of his wife Euridice, overcoming all obstacles by the power of his voice. He finds her but loses her again. How long do we grieve a loved one? How long do we hear their voice echoing after they have gone? In 1607, Claudio Monteverdi created his Orfeo, for the Carnival opening at the Court Theatre of Duke Vincenzo I in Mantua. Billed as a ‘musical fable’, here was a new form where characters are brought to life with poignant human feelings. Orfeo’s dramatic power gave birth to what we call opera today. As in the original performance in an intimate space in Mantua, Garsington’s summer 2022 production sees the singers and musicians very close; the instrumentalists are part of the action, onstage and visible. Early music specialist Laurence Cummings conducts the musicians of The English Concert. Arielle Smith choreographs singers and dancers; the chorus is a constant presence and critical to the storytelling. Ecstatically received by audiences and critics alike, here is an evening to do justice Monteverdi’s genius and power to encapsulate the human condition through music, movement and song. Streamed on OperaVision on 21 October 2022 at 19:00 CET and available until 20 April 2023: CAST Orfeo Ed Lyon Messenger Diana Montague Music (La Musica) Claire Lees Hope (La Speranza) Laura Fleur Euridice Zoe Drummond Charon Frazer Scott Pluto Ossian Huskinson Persephone Lauren Joyanne Morris Nymph Anna Cavaliero Solo Shepherds and Spirits Georgia Mae Bishop Florian Panzieri David Horton Richard Pinkstone Dafydd Jones Philippe Durrant Michael Bell Joe Chalmers Spirits of the Dance Amber Doyle (Dance Captain) Maddy Brennan Benjamin Derham Annie Joy Edwards Cameron Everitt Emily Gunn Chorus Garsington Opera Chorus Orchestra The English Concert Music Claudio Monteverdi Text Alessandro Striggio Conductor Laurence Cummings Director John Caird Sets and costumes Robert Jones Lighting Paul Pyant Choreographer Arielle Smith Assistant Conductor Christopher Bucknall Assistant Director Rebecca Meltzer Chorus Director Jonathon Cole-Swinard OperaVision is a freeview opera streaming platform, supported by the European Union’s Creative Europe programme. Watch live streams as the performances themselves unfold in the opera house. Enjoy a variety of shows - including opera, operetta, musical theatre, dance, ballet and concerts. Opera connaisseur or curious newcomer, there is something for everyone on OperaVision. WEBSITE: FACEBOOK: TWITTER: INSTAGRAM: TIKTOK: @operavision