Orfeo ed Euridice has long been the most popular opera of Gluck. As a young composer Gluck led a peripatetic life, but by 1750 he was settled in Vienna, where Orfeo was first performed in 1762. Spurred on by the ideas of Orfeo’s librettist, Raniero de’ Calzabigi, Gluck was seeking to reform the operatic conventions within which he worked by restoring naturalness and simplicity to drama and music. Orfeo represents the first step on the path to reform, the ideas behind which had a profound effect on opera composers for generations.
The story of the opera is the familiar Greek myth of Orpheus, the death of his wife, Eurydice, and her eventual return to life. In addition to the famous aria, ‘Che farò senza Euridice?’, the opera abounds in scenes of deep emotion and contains much beautiful dance music.
There will be a pre-opera talk for ticket holders in the hall at 5.45pm.
Tickets are on sale at Cadogan Hall (book here).
