Orfeo and Euridice (1984)

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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

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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