Overview | Synopsis | Cast & Creative | Music | Videos | Podcast | House Programme
Overview
This exquisite opera follows the ancient Greek myth of Orfeo, a divinely gifted musician and poet, who moves the deities of the Underworld with the beauty of his music and poetry to lead his love Euridice back to the world of the living. This timeless story of love is directed and choreographed by Idan Cohen as a celebration of opera and contemporary dance. Maestro Leslie Dala will conduct the Vancouver Opera Orchestra and Chorus. This production is a Vancouver Opera premiere and marks the first collaboration with Ne. Sans Opera and Dance, and The Dance Centre. Sung in Italian with English Surtitles.
Overview
This exquisite opera follows the ancient Greek myth of Orfeo, a divinely gifted musician and poet, who moves the deities of the Underworld with the beauty of his music and poetry to lead his love Euridice back to the world of the living. This timeless story of love is directed and choreographed by Idan Cohen as a celebration of opera and contemporary dance. Maestro Leslie Dala will conduct the Vancouver Opera Orchestra and Chorus. This production is a Vancouver Opera premiere and marks the first collaboration with Ne. Sans Opera and The Dance Centre. Sung in Italian with English Surtitles.
Performances:
Sat Dec 4* | 7:30PM
Sun Dec 5 | 2:00PM
* sold out
Click to view available seats
Runtime
75 minutes, no intermission
Performances
Sat Dec 4* | 7:30PM
Sun Dec 5 | 2:00PM
Click to view available seats
*sold out
Runtime
90 minutes, no intermission
Synopsis
ACT I
On Orfeo and Euridice's wedding night, the crowd mourns the death of Euridice, after she was bitten by a snake while escaping a foreign satire while out in the fields, picking flowers with her companions. Alone, Orfeo calls out in despair. Orfeo vows to rescue Euridice from the underworld, and Amore, goddess of love, appears with word that Jove will allow Orfeo to descend into the underworld to retrieve Euridice. But there is one condition; Orfeo must neither look at Euridice, nor explain why looking upon her is forbidden, otherwise Orfeo will lose Euridice forever. Orfeo agrees and embarks on his voyage.
ACT II
Upon entering, the keepers of the underworld, try to deny Orfeo’s passage. Orfeo's lament softens and placates them as they grant Orfeo access to the Elysian Fields. Orfeo is moved by the beauty of the landscape but is determined to take Euridice away with him. Without gazing at her, they start their journey back to the world of the living.
ACT III
Forbidden to look at Euridice nor to explain, Orfeo leads Euridice as they make their way out of the underworld. In a moment of panic and desperation, Orfeo can't resist, and turns to Euridice. Euridice dies, again. Grief-stricken, Orfeo can not bear to live without Euridice and decides to join her in final death. In response to Orfeo’s deep love and devotion, Amore appears, revives Euridice, and returns the lovers back to the world of the living.
Cast
Krisztina Szabó
soprano
(Euridice)
Mireille Lebel
mezzo-soprano
(Orfeo)
Mireille Asselin
soprano
(Amore)
Krisztina Szabó
soprano
(Euridice)
Mireille Lebel
mezzo-soprano
(Orfeo)
Mireille Asselin
soprano
(Amore)
Creative Team
Creative Team
Idan Cohen
Director & Choreographer
Leslie Dala
Conductor
Jennifer Tung
Assistant Conductor
Amir Ofek
Set Design
Itai Erdal
Lighting Design
Evan Clayton
Costume Design
Idan Cohen
Director & Choreographer
Leslie Dala
Conductor
Jennifer Tung
Assistant Conductor
Amir Ofek
Set Design
Itai Erdal
Lighting Design
Evan Clayton
Costume Design
Chorus
Sopranos
Heather Pawsey
Eve-Lyn de la Haye
Rebecca Collett
Szu-Wen Wang
Karen Ydenberg
Mezzos
Heather Molloy
Dionne Sellinger
Megan Morrison
Brenda Glass Alexander
Elena Razlog
Tenors
William Grossman
Kevin Armstrong
Sergio Augusto
Wade Nott
Adam Kozak
Bass/Baritones
Henry Chen
Angus Bell
Jason Cook
Glenn deVerteuil
Brandon Thornhill
Composer
Christoph Gluck (July 2, 1714–November 15, 1787)
Gluckwasa Bohemian-Austrian composer of Italian and French opera in the early classical period. He became a key figure in influencing the transition between baroque and classical opera. During the latter half of the 18th century, Gluck began to explore beyond the confines of opera seria. He advocated that all aspects be subservient to the overarching drama. This led to a movement and Orfeo ed Euridice became the poster child of this reform. Gluck cut back on the vocal virtuosity afforded to singers and instead gave the orchestra and chorus a larger presence. After pioneering this movement, he made his way to France where he adopted the styles of Lully and Rameau: the pillars of French Opera. He merged the traditions of Italian and French Opera and found much success under the patronage of Marie Antoinette. After a successful tenure in the Parisian operatic world, Gluck returned to Vienna where he lived out the remainder of his life.
Christoph Gluck (July 2, 1714–November 15, 1787)
Gluckwasa Bohemian-Austrian composer of Italian and French opera in the early classical period. He became a key figure in influencing the transition between baroque and classical opera. During the latter half of the 18th century, Gluck began to explore beyond the confines of opera seria. He advocated that all aspects be subservient to the overarching drama. This led to a movement and Orfeo ed Euridice became the poster child of this reform. Gluck cut back on the vocal virtuosity afforded to singers and instead gave the orchestra and chorus a larger presence. After pioneering this movement, he made his way to France where he adopted the styles of Lully and Rameau: the pillars of French Opera. He merged the traditions of Italian and French Opera and found much success under the patronage of Marie Antoinette. After a successful tenure in the Parisian operatic world, Gluck returned to Vienna where he lived out the remainder of his life.
Music
Get to Know Orfeo Videos
An Introduction to Orfeo ed Euridice
Learn what makes this production special with Director and Choreographer Idan Cohen, and Conductor Les Dala. Plus, get a sneak peek at the masterful blend of a classical masterpiece and contemporary dance.
Get to Know Orfeo Videos
Contemporary Dance Meets Opera
More from Director and Choreographer Idan Cohen, and Conductor Les Dala on this stunning production that has been four years in the making..
Get to Know Orfeo Videos
Costume design and creative vision
This visually stunning production has some unexpected eye-candy thanks to Evan Clayton, a Vancouver-based fashion designer, known for his dramatic, theatrical style and his work designing costumes for Canada’s Drag Race cast.
An Introduction to Orfeo ed Euridice
Learn what makes this production special with Director and Choreographer Idan Cohen, and Conductor Les Dala. Plus, get a sneak peek at the masterful blend of a classical masterpiece and contemporary dance.
Contemporary Dance Meets Opera
More from Director and Choreographer Idan Cohen, and Conductor Les Dala on this stunning production that has been four years in the making.
Costume Design with Evan Clayton
This visually stunning production has some unexpected eye-candy thanks to Evan Clayton, a Vancouver-based fashion designer, known for his dramatic, theatrical style and his work designing costumes for Canada’s Drag Race cast
Podcast: Inside Vancouver Opera
Pre-show podcast featuring Les Dala, Mireille Lebel, Mireille Asselin and Krisztina Szabo.
House Programme
Read more about the performance and the creative team behind this production.
House Programme
Read more about the performance and the creative team behind this production.
CASTING AND PERFORMANCES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
