Orfeo ed Euridice – Gluck Opera
Gluck’s Opera Orpheus and Eurydice Introduced
Orfeo ed Euridice an opera by Gluck. Gluck's Orpheus opera. Orfeo ed Euridice plot summary, Orfeo cast of characters,Orfeo ed Euridice Info
Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice (Vienna) and Orphée (Paris)
Composed: 1762 (Vienna), revised 1774 (Paris)
First Performance: October 5, 1762 Burg Theater, Vienna (Austria); Revised, Paris (France) 1774
Language: Italian, Paris version in French
Libretto: Raniero da Calzabigi (after the Greek Legend)
Opera in 3 Acts
Fast Facts:
- Considered, along with the late Mozart Operas, as one the most important 18th-century operas.
- A move from Baroque to Classical style, this opera focused more on dramatic action, rather than ornamentation and virtuosic singing.
- The original Orfeo in Vienna was castrato Gaetano Guadagni, who had also sung several of Handel’s oratorios in London.
- The later French version, Orphée, adds a 1st act aria, showpiece, for Orfeo as well as two ballets (a staple of French Grand Opera) the Dance of the Blessed Spirits and the Dance of the Furies.
- The Greek legend of Orpheus inspired operas by several composers, including Monteverdi’s l’Orfeo and Offenbach’s operetta Orphée aux enfers
- Orfeo, Orpheus, a shepherd and musician (alto, soprano in the French version)
- Euridice, Eurydice, wife of Orfeo (soprano)
- Amore, God of Love (soprano)
- Chorus
The Plot:
Act I
- Orfeo mourns the loss of Euridice at her tomb.
- He vows to rescue her from the underworld.
- The God of Love, Amore, consoles the grief-stricken Orfeo.
- She tells him that love can overcome all obstacles. She gives Orfeo the condition that when he does lead Euridice from Hades, he is not to hold her hand or look at her until hey have fully ascended from Hell.
- Orfeo is also forbidden to speak to Euridice.
- Orfeo accepts the challenge.
Act II
- Approaching Hades, Orfeo is scared by the Furies, who sing of a three-headed dog, Cerberus.
- Orfeo’s beautiful singing moves the Furies, and they allow him to pass safely.
- Orfeo arrives at Elysium, where he sings of its beauty and emptiness.
- He searches, but cannot find Euridice.
- Euridice is presented to him, blindfolded, by the Gods.
- Without looking at her or saying a word to her, Orfeo leads her from the Elysian fields.
Act III
- Orfeo leads Euridice from Hades.
- She begins to ask Orfeo a series of questions, even asking him for an embrace.
- He can neither answer nor look at her.
- She takes his coldness as rejection, and tells Orfeo that she would have rather remained dead in Hades.
- No longer able to control himself, Orfeo turns to answer Euridice and she dies before him.
- Orfeo, unable to revive his wife, attempts to kill himself to join his beloved.
- Amore stops him from suicide.
- Amore revives Euridice from her death and the lovers are reunited.
- A Shepherds chorus sings and dances about Euridice’s return and love triumphing over death.
The copyright of the article Orfeo ed Euridice – Gluck Opera in Opera Composers is owned by Bryce Westervelt. Permission to republish Orfeo ed Euridice – Gluck Opera must be granted by the author in writing.
