Orfeo and Euridice (1984)
Opera in Three Scenes
Music by Christoph Willibald Gluck
Libretto by Raniero de Calzabigi
English translation by Andrew Porter Commissioned by Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
Edition performed by arrangement with Magnamusic-Baton, Inc., U.S. agent for Bärenreiter-Verlag, Kassel
First performed in Vienna, October 5, 1762
Dates of Performance
 June 6, 9, 15, 21, 23, 24
1984 Season
The Magic Flute   Madame Butterfly
Orfeo and Euridice   Paul Bunyan
Photo Gallery
Cast
Alteouise DeVaughn
Orfeo
Lisbeth Lloyd
Euridice
Cyndia Siedentop
Amor
David Brown
Orfeo (Dancer)
Corinne Barbara
Euridice (Dancer)
Kevin Irving
Chorus
Kathryn Komatsu
Chorus
Bruce Taylor
Chorus
Orit Vitory
Chorus
Elaine Wright
Chorus
Ivan Wolfe
Chorus
The design concept for the opera was realized by Mrs. Nevelson in association with Diana MacKown, Willy Eisenhart, and William Katz.
Costumes realized by John Carver Sullivan, in association with Celeste Livingston at The Costume Collection. Stage sets made in Mrs. Nevelson’s studio with Robert Hardiman and Rusty Walles.
Creative Team
David Zinman
Conductor
Lou Galterio
Stage Director
Elisa Monte
Choreographer
David Brown
Assistant Choreographer
Louise Nevelson
Scenic & Costume Designer
Peter Kaczorowski
Lighting Designer
The dancers are members of the Elisa Monte Dance Company.
Synopsis
[Overture] The wedding of Orfeo and Euridice; and Euridice’s death.
Scene i
Euridice’s funeral rites. Her husband’s heartbroken lament moves the gods to pity, and Amor, the god of love, comes to tell him he may enter Hades and lead Euridice back to life provided (i) he does not look at her until they are back on earth, and (ii) does not tell her of this proviso.
Scene ii
By the power of his song, Orfeo charms and calms the Furies who guard the entrance to the realm of the dead. Entering Elysium, he marvels at the tranquil beauty of the scene: there is music here such as even he, the world’s greatest musician, had not conceived- but its beauty cannot satisfy a man with human passions. Euridice is restored to him.
Scene iii
On the way back, Euridice cannot understand her husband’s apparent indifference, and her distress conquers his resolve. He looks at her, and she dies a second time. Orfeo decides to die with her, but Amor intervenes, to save Orfeo’s life and restore Euridice’s. The opera ends with dances and a chorus in praise of Love.
Andrew Porter
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