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Thursday Opera Matinee: Monteverdi 450 - L'Orfeo

Verity Sharp introduces a performance of Monteverdi's L'Orfeo, conducted by Ottavio Dantone and with Fernando Guimaraes in the title role.

Monteverdi 450 - Verity Sharp introduces Monteverdi's opera L'Orfeo, the earliest complete opera that survives to our day, based on an ancient Greek fable. This Baroque jewel is conducted by Ottavio Dantone at the helm of the Lausane Chamber Orchestra and Opera Chorus, with Fernando Guimaraes in the title role as the hapless Thracian who fails to bring his dead lover Euridice, sung by Federica Di Trapani, back from the Underworld, only to be rescued at the end by the gods.

2.00pm
Monteverdi - L'Orfeo

La Musica (Music) / Messaggiera (Messenger) ..... Josè Maria Lo Monaco (soprano)
Orfeo (Orpheus) ..... Fernando Guimaraes (tenor)
Euridice (Eurydice) ..... Federica Di Trapani (soprano)
Speranza (Hope) / Proserpina (Proserpine) ..... Delphine Galou (soprano)
Caronte (Charon) / Plutone (Pluto) / Un pastore (A Shepherd) ..... Nicolas Courjal (bass)
Primo pastore (First Shepherd) / Un spirito (A Spirit) / Apollo ..... Anicio Zorzi Giustiniani (tenor)
Pastore secondo (Second Shepherd) / Un pastore (A Shepherd) / Un spirito (A Spirit) ..... Alessandro Giangrande (tenor)
Ninfa (Nymph) ..... Mathilde Opinel (soprano)
Lausanne Opera Chorus
Lausanne Chamber Orchestra
Ottavio Dantone, conductor.

2 hours, 30 minutes

Last on

Thu 11 May 2017 14:00
Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Claudio Monteverdi

    L'Orfeo

    Singer: Fernando Guimarães. Singer: Federica di Trapani. Orchestra: Lausanne Chamber Orchestra.

  • Claudio Monteverdi

    L'Orfeo Part II

    Singer: Fernando Guimarães. Singer: Federica di Trapani. Orchestra: Lausanne Chamber Orchestra.

  • Claudio Monteverdi

    Lamento d'Arianna

    Singer: Montserrat Figueras. Ensemble: Hespèrion XXI. Director: Jordi Savall.
    • ALIA VOX.

Synopsis

Prologue

The allegorical figure of Music (La Musica) announces the story to be narrated.

Act I

Nymphs and shepherds sing and dance in anticipation of the wedding of Orpheus and Eurydice, who each declare their joy. Eurydice and others depart.

Act II

Orpheus stays behind with a few companions and sings to them of the pains and pleasures of his courtship. But a nymph returns with tragic news: Eurydice has been bitten by a snake and is dead. All are struck with horror by the messenger’s tortured account. Orpheus declares his intent to follow Eurydice to the Underworld. The others lament the cruel turn of events.

Act III

Hope (Speranza) leads Orpheus towards the Underworld but abandons him on the shores of the gloomy lake which must first be crossed. Summoning all his musical powers, Orpheus tries to persuade Charon (Caronte) to ferry him across (‘Possente spirto’). He fails, but Charon falls asleep and Orpheus seizes the chance to cross by himself.

Act IV

Proserpina pleads with Pluto (Plutone) to allow Orpheus to lead Eurydice up to earth to rejoin the living. Pluto consents, but warns that if Orpheus once turns back to look at her she will be lost to him. Unable to conquer his anxiety, he does look back and Eurydice is taken from him and back to Hell.

Act V

Returning to the woodlands of Thrace, Orpheus has succumbed to despair. Apollo descends, inviting him to Heaven. Orpheus accepts and they ascend together. Nymphs and shepherds sing in praise of Heaven and dance a concluding moresca.

Broadcast

  • Thu 11 May 2017 14:00
    Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 3