ORFEO ED EURIDICE by Christoph Willibald Gluck

Gluck’s revolutionary opera Orfeo ed Euridice, presented by Irish National Opera in a co-production with United Fall in partnership with Irish Baroque Orchestra, was a highlight of Galway International Arts Festival 2018 where it had a run of sold out performances. This major new production is directed and choreographed by one of Ireland’s most exciting dance theatre makers, Emma Martin, who “creates the sublime out of grief” (The Independent). 

Mezzo soprano Sharon Carty’s performance in the title role is “compelling, both vocally and dramatically” (Goldenplec). She is “well matched by Sarah Power’s mysterious Euridice” (Sunday Independent). Emma Nash is a “powerfully soaring Amore” (Sunday Independent), and the production also features an ensemble of four singers and four United Fall dancers who “beautifully amplify the libretto” (The Independent). 

The power of the Orpheus myth lies in its balance between mortality and hope, transcendence and love. Orfeo ed Euridice is a powerful mix of music, song, dance and imagery, and features Gluck’s famous and profoundly moving aria Che farò senza Euridice. Sabine Dargent’s set design is described as “sublime”, and Stephen Dodd’slighting design as “meticulous” (Exeunt Magazine) while Catherine Fay’s costumes are “simply stunning” (Irish Independent)”. 

Peter Whelan, “consistently attentive to the balance of voices and instruments” (The Irish Times), conducts the Irish Baroque Orchestra.
Sung in Italian with English surtitles