Gluck: Orfeo ed Euridice / Thomas Hengelbrock
Gluck
Immortal myth and original performance practice
The myth of Orpheus and Eurydice has always been right at the top of opera composers’ hit list. After Claudio Monteverdi, it was Christoph Willibald Gluck, above all others, who made it immortal: in poetic and dramatic style, his »Orfeo ed Euridice« tells the story of the singer who descends to the underworld to take back his wife.
Thomas Hengelbrock and his Balthasar Neumann Ensembles have opted for the original Italian version of the opera, which was premiered in Vienna in 1762 – twelve years before the equally well-known French version. As was the case in Gluck’s time, in this historically informed performance the role of Orfeo, which was composed for an alto, is sung by a man, namely Jakub Józef Orliński, one of the world’s most sought-after countertenors. In Regula Mühlemann, the Polish rising star has a high-profile partner with a powerful voice at his side. Together with Elena Galitskaya they form an ensemble that could not be more perfect for this work.
Performers
Balthasar-Neumann-Chor und -Orchester
Jakub Józef Orliński Orfeo
Regula Mühlemann Euridice
Elena Galitskaya Amore
conductor Thomas Hengelbrock
Programme
Christoph Willibald Gluck
Orfeo ed Euridice / Oper in drei Akten
Konzertante Aufführung in italienischer Sprache
Series
Balthasar Neumann Choir and Orchestra
Spotlight
Opera in Concert