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. Orfeo encapsulates the human condition through Monteverdi’s genius.
This enthralling music gives words their expression, allowing them to take flight, all the while celebrating the unique talents of each performer. Director, John Caird, makes his Garsington Opera debut, with Ed Lyon (The Turn of the Screw, 2019) in the title role, and Laurence Cummings returns to conduct.
Sung in Italian with English supertitles
I NEWS ***** ‘The Orfeo of our dreams’
BACHTRAK***** ‘a night of blissful Monteverdi magic.
THE TELEGRAPH**** ‘terrific . . . an evening of true ensemble work.’
THE TIMES**** ‘wonderful’
CULTURE WHISPER***** ‘outstanding . . . the dynamic and barefoot English Concert is on stage, its players in the heart of the action.’ *****
FINANCIAL TIMES**** . . . beautiful and atmospheric . . . the expert English Concert . . . its instrumental ensemble, is up there with the best’
MUSIC OMH***** The joyfulness of the whole show owed much to the players . . . the musical standard was superb throughout.
THE GUARDIAN There is an astonishing musical moment at the very end, which elevated this production still further. But no spoilers for those fortunate to enough to attend.
Programme
Featured Artists
The English Concert
Conductor Laurence Cummings
Director John Caird
Designer Robert Jones
Lighting Designer Paul Pyant
Orfeo Ed Lyon
The Messenger Diana Montague
La Musica Claire Lees
Speranza Laura Fleur
Euridice Zoe Drummond
Caronte Frazer Scott
Pluto Ossian Huskinson
Proserpina Lauren Joyanne Morris
Nymph Anna Cavaliero
Alto Shepherd Georgia Mae Bishop
Shepherd 1 Florian Panzieri
Shepherd 2 David Horton
Shepherd 3 / Spirit 1 Richard Pinkstone
Shepherd 4 / Spirit 3 Dafydd Jones
Shepherd 5 / Spirit 2 Philippe Durrant
Shepherd 6 / Spirit 4 Michael Bell
Bass Shepherd / Bass Spirit Joe Chalmers
Garsington Opera Chorus
