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Overview
Synopsis
According to the legend, Orpheus (in Italian Orfeo) was famous with the Gods for his incredible singing ability and his talent with the lyre, an instrument similar to a small harp but with distinct differences. He is said to have made Gods and men weep with his mourning songs for his beloved Eurydice (Euridice), who died from a snakebite after being pursued by a jealous Aristaeus. Gluck’s opera opens with Orfeo singing these mourning songs and calling out desperately to Euridice. Hearing his pleas, the chorus tells him to take his lyre and travel to the underworld that he might sing to the rulers of Hades and ask for Euridice’s return. Amore, the God of love, offers to help him and cautions him that, in order to prove himself worthy of this gift, on the journey back he must not look at Euridice or her life will be forfeit.
On the journey back to Earth, Euridice, who has been enjoying herself in the underworld entertained by happy spirits, starts to fear that a trick is being played on her and that this is not Orfeo at all. She begs him to turn around and look at her. When he will not she starts to turn back and in his fear of losing her again Orfeo turns, and kills Euridice. His aria ‘Che faro senza Euridice’ (What shall I do without Euridice) is another exposition of Orfeo as the musician trying to deal with his grief. He has nowhere else to go and cannot face return to Earth without her, so he resolves to kill himself that he might be with Euridice again. Unusually, in this version of the legend Amore intervenes, and tells Orfeo that the Gods have seen his courage. Amore brings Euridice back to life and sends the two of them back to Earth, rejoicing.
The beauty and simplicity of Gluck’s music make Orfeo ed Euridice a timeless classic that could be an excellent vehicle to showcase a particular singer in the principal role.
Show Information
- Libretto
- Ranieri de Calzabigi
- Category
- Opera
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 3
- First Produced
- 1796
- Genres
- Drama, Historical/Biographical
- Settings
- Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- Greece, Ancient Times
- Cast Size
- small
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- Some Dance
- Licensor
- Ricordi/Casa Ricordi
- Ideal For
- All-Female Cast, Chamber Opera, College/University, Mostly Female Cast, Professional Opera, Small Cast, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters
Context
Gluck’s opera exists today in several distinct versions. After originating as an Italian piece featuring a contralto castrato in the title role for its first performance in 1796, it has undergone several revisions. Gluck himself created a French version, along with a newly adapted libretto by Pierre-Louis Moline for performance in Paris in 1774, and Berlioz further adapted this combining elements of both the French and Italian scores and rewriting the title role to suit a female contralto _en
to read the context for Orfeo ed Euridice and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Characters
Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
---|---|---|---|
Lead |
Either Gender |
Mezzo-Soprano, Countertenor, Tenor, Contralto |
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano |
|
Supporting |
Either Gender |
Soprano |
|
Supporting |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Baritone, Bass |
Songs
Sinfonia
Act 1
Introduction, Chorus: ‘Ah! Se intorno a quest’urna funesta’ - Orfeo
Recitative: ‘Amici, quel lamento’ - Orfeo
Pantomime
Chorus: ‘Ah! Se intorno a quest’urna funesta’
Recitative and Ritornello - Orfeo
Aria :‘Chiamo il mio ben cosi’ - Orfeo
Recitative: ‘Euridice, Euridice’ - Orfeo
Aria: ‘Cerco il mio ben cosi’ - Orfeo
Recitative: ‘Euridice! Ah! Questo nome’ - Orfeo
Aria: ‘Piango il mio ben cosi’ - Orfeo
Recitative: ‘Numi. Barbari Numi’ - Orfeo, Amore
Aria: ‘Se il dolce suon’ - Amore, Orfeo
Recitative ‘Ciel! Rivederla potrò!’ - Orfeo, Amore
Aria:‘Gli squardi trattieni’ - Amore
Recitative: ‘Che disse! Che ascoltai’ - Orfeo
Aria: ‘Addio, addio, o miei sospiri’ - Orfeo
Act 2
Dance of the Furies, Chorus: ‘Chi mai dell’Erebo’
Scene: ‘Deh placatevi con me!’ - Orfeo, Chorus
Chorus: ‘Misero giovane’
Aria: ‘Mille pene, ombre sdegnose’ - Orfeo
Chorus: ‘Ah! Quale incognito’
Aria: ‘Men tiranne, voi sarete’ - Orfeo
Chorus: ‘Ah, quale incognito’
Dance of the Furies and Ballet
Aria and Chorus: ‘Questo asilo di placide calme’ - Euridice
Aria: ‘Che puro ciel!’ - Orfeo
Chorus ‘Vieni ai regni del riposo’
Ballet
Recitative: ‘Oh voi, ombre felici’ - Orfeo
Chorus: ‘Torna o bella, al tuo consorte’
Act 3
Recitative and Duet: ‘Vieni! Appaga il tuo consorte’ - Orfeo, Euridice
Recitative: ‘Qual vita e questa mai!’ - Euridice
Aria and Duet ‘Che fiero momento’ - Euridice, Orfeo
Recitative: ‘Ecco novel tormento!’’ - Orfeo, Euridice
Aria ‘Che farò senza Euridice’ - Orfeo
Recitative ‘Ah! Finisca e per sempre’’ - Orfeo, Amore, Euridice
Scene and Chorus: ‘Trionfi Amore’ - Orfeo, Euridice, Amore
Dances
Trio ‘Divo Amore’ - Orfeo, Euridice, Amore
Ballet and Chaconne
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
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