Orfeo ed Euridice at Théâtre des Champs-Elysées

Philippe Jaroussky and Patricia Petibon in Orfeo ed Euridice by Gluck. All the power of love in song and a masterful expression of emotions.

When Gluck returned to the fable of Orfeo more than a century and a half after Monteverdi, he also undertook to rewrite the existing conventions of opera. He decided to focus on the plot in all its power, cohesion and richness, which he believed should be in perfect harmony with the musical score.

This premise gave rise to an innovative work with an incredible wealth of ballets and choruses which radiate luminous beauty while “revising” past forms. Canadian director Robert Carsen staged the work some ten years ago for the Chicago Opera House. His approach involved removing all overt references to time in order to underscore the universality of the work and to showcase the music and singing. He has now decided to go back to the drawing board, but that this Parisian outing stays true to his initial intention. Although the subject matter is drawn from one of the most beautiful myths, the plot focuses tightly on the couple Orfeo and Euridice in arias which call for consummate sensitivity and virtuosity. Philippe Jaroussky and Patricia Petibon undoubtedly have the grace and poetry to get the very most out of this impressive and painful descent into hell.

TV direction: François Roussillon
A co-production of François Roussillon et Associés / Théâtre des Champs-Elysées / NHK
With the participation of France Télévisions and TF1