Category: Opera in four acts
Language: French
Running times: 1h40 (no intermission)
Premiered: 1859 in Théâtre-Lyrique, Paris
New production: 12 October 2018, Opéra-Comique
Orphée et Eurydice
Stage director: Aurélien Bory • Set designers: Aurélien Bory and Pierre Dequivre • Costume designer: Manuela Agnesini • Lighting designer: Arno Veyrat • Dramaturgy: Taïcyr Fadel
Director of Artistic Coordination, Production and Development
In a few words
A messenger of the gods, Amor tells Orpheus that he can go to the Underworld to fetch Eurydice. His song has the power to appease the Furies and enliven the happy Shadows. But his voice cannot reassure Eurydice, who despairs at Orpheus' feigned indifference, thus put to the test by Jupiter...
Concept
“Orpheus’ destiny is not to bring Eurydice back, but to sing of her loss.
Since Orpheus turns around, the entire stage space should turn around. To do this, I chose a theatrical magic process developed in the 19th century, the Pepper ghost, which allows apparitions through a play of reflections. […] It reveals the possibility of making a hole appear: the absence of the loved one, death, the archetypal space of the artist who must search in the depths.”
Aurélien Bory, director
Press review
“Inventive staging, orchestral and vocal delight : a sublime crossing of the mirror […].”
Télérama, 18 October 2018, Sophie Bourdais
“The visual dimension contributes greatly to the success of this multi-dimensional performance. Bory invents a space that can be modulated ad infinitum, playing on the optical illusion based on a fairly concrete idea: Orpheus turns around. […] Gluck's work becomes multidimensional thanks to Aurélien Bory's direction. A wonderment.”
Le Figaro, 17 October 2018, Christian Merlin
“Everything contributes to the visual success of this otherwise rather dark show: the play of canvases and draperies, the effects of infinite perspectives, the importance of the living tableaux.”
Res Musica, 24 October 2019, Benedict Hévry
Cast
Number of Principals: 3
Chorus / parts (S/A/T/B): 25 (7/6/6/6)
Extras: 6 dancers/circus performers
Instrumentation
39
2.2.2.2 / 2.2.3.0 / 1perc / 1harp / 6-5-4-4-3
Volume of the production
Set and props 1 container
Other info
Last performed: Opéra Royal de Wallonie – october 2019
Coproduction: Opéra de Lausanne, Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège, Théâtre de Caen, Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg, Opéra Royal de Versailles
Revival in 2024 in Caen, Luxembourg and Versailles
Productions catalogue
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