Free opera tonight: Monteverdi’s Orfeo from the Garden of England

Tonight’s free opera is brought to you from Garsington on Slippedisc, courtesy of OperaVision.

In 1607, Claudio Monteverdi created his Orfeo, for the Carnival opening at the Court Theatre of Duke Vincenzo I in Mantua. Billed as a ‘musical fable’, here was a new form where characters are brought to life with poignant human feelings. Orfeo’s dramatic power gave birth to what we call opera today. As in the original performance in an intimate space in Mantua, Garsington’s summer 2022 production sees the singers and musicians very close; the instrumentalists are part of the action, onstage and visible. Laurence Cummings conducts the musicians of The English Concert. Arielle Smith choreographs singers and dancers; the chorus is a constant presence and critical to the storytelling. Ed Lyon sings Orfeso and Zoe Drummond sings Euridice.  It is sung in Italian with subtitles available in English and Italian.

Ecstatically received by audiences and critics alike, here is an evening to do justice Monteverdi’s genius and power to encapsulate the human condition through music, movement and song.

The Plot:  Orpheus sings his way to the underworld in pursuit of his wife Euridice, overcoming all obstacles by the power of his voice. He finds her but loses her again. How long do we grieve a loved one? How long do we hear their voice echoing after they have gone?

Available from Friday 21st October 2022 at 1900 CET/ 1800 London/ 1300 New York