«Orfeo ed Euridice»
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Les Musiciens du Prince – Monaco
Il canto di Orfeo
Gianluca Capuano, conductor
Cecilia Bartoli, Orfeo
Melissa Petit, Euridice and Amore
Christoph Willibald Gluck: "Orfeo ed Euridice" (based on the 1769 Parma version; concert performance)
It's the dream held by every singer: to be able to use their voice with such beauty and emotional power that even wild animals begin to purr, the Furies hum contentedly, and stones themselves seem to soften and weep. Such was the legendary gift of Orpheus, the mythical hero whose voice could enchant anyone – even the terrifying demons of the Underworld. No wonder his tale became one of opera's most beloved subjects: the oldest surviving music drama, from 1600, is based on this ancient myth. But the most famous Orpheus opera of all is Christoph Willibald Gluck's. And since he wrote the title role for a castrato – a male able to sing in the alto and even soprano range as a result of castration – it was soon taken on by female singers as well. Cecilia Bartoli cherishes this role: "Orfeo transports us to another world through his magical voice. He celebrates love and even descends into hell to reclaim his beloved Euridice. With this music, one can touch the divine — through the ears and through the soul." Bartoli will dazzle here not with coloratura but with heavenly cantilenas, radiant phrasing, and exquisitely subtle shading. And as listeners, we will be floating blissfully on cloud nine.
Photo © Kristian Schuller
Il canto di Orfeo
Gianluca Capuano, conductor
Cecilia Bartoli, Orfeo
Melissa Petit, Euridice and Amore
Christoph Willibald Gluck: "Orfeo ed Euridice" (based on the 1769 Parma version; concert performance)
It's the dream held by every singer: to be able to use their voice with such beauty and emotional power that even wild animals begin to purr, the Furies hum contentedly, and stones themselves seem to soften and weep. Such was the legendary gift of Orpheus, the mythical hero whose voice could enchant anyone – even the terrifying demons of the Underworld. No wonder his tale became one of opera's most beloved subjects: the oldest surviving music drama, from 1600, is based on this ancient myth. But the most famous Orpheus opera of all is Christoph Willibald Gluck's. And since he wrote the title role for a castrato – a male able to sing in the alto and even soprano range as a result of castration – it was soon taken on by female singers as well. Cecilia Bartoli cherishes this role: "Orfeo transports us to another world through his magical voice. He celebrates love and even descends into hell to reclaim his beloved Euridice. With this music, one can touch the divine — through the ears and through the soul." Bartoli will dazzle here not with coloratura but with heavenly cantilenas, radiant phrasing, and exquisitely subtle shading. And as listeners, we will be floating blissfully on cloud nine.
Photo © Kristian Schuller
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Where is it happening?
KKL Luzern, Lucerne, Switzerland
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherLucerne Festival
