Claudio Monteverdi: L'Orfeo

About this event

In order to find Eurydice, who’s disappeared on their wedding day, the singer Orpheus must charm the netherworld with his divine art. His complaints will eventually prompt Pluton to free Eurydice, under certain conditions… By the end of the ordeal, the master of harmony turns out to be a profoundly human infallible figure, inheriting form Monteverdi’ sensitivity.

It is quite exceptional to be able to date the birth of a new art form. However, it is the case with opera. On 24th February 1607, in Mantoue, the creation of ‘L’Orfeo’ by Striggio and Monteverdi gave birth to a new form of art, where theatre meets music. It combined the recital cantanto’s new expressiveness with various court art forms, with great mastery.

Favola in musica in five acts and a prologue by Claudio Monteverdi.

Libretto by Alessandro Striggio.

Creation in Mantoue, 24 February 1607.

Featuring

Musical direction: Jordi Savall

Stage direction: Pauline Bayle

Sets: Lisa Navarro

Costumes: Pauline Kieffer

Lighting: César Godefroy

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Orfeo: Marc Mauillon

Messaggiera: Sara Mingardo

Speranza / Proserpina: Marianne Beate Kielland

Apollo: Furio Zanasi

Caronte / Plutone: Salvo Vitale

Pastore I / Spirito II: Víctor Sordo

Ninfa: Lise Viricel

Pastore II / Spirito IV: Gabriel Diaz

Pastore III / Spirito I / Eco: Alessandro Giangrande

Pastore IV / Spirito III: Yannis François

Chorus: La Capella Reial de Catalunya

Orchestra: Le Concert des Nations

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Production of the Opéra-Comique.

In coproduction with the Opéra Royal - Château de Versailles Spectacles and the Opéra Grand Avignon.

Film direction: François Roussillon.

A coproduction between Opéra-Comique, François Roussillon et Associés, Radio France.

With the participation of Mezzo and of medici.tv.

With the support of Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée.

© Opéra-Comique - François Roussillon et Associés - Radio France - 2021.

Audiovisual production and distribution: FRA Prod.

Repertoire

1. Claudio Monteverdi: L'Orfeo SV 318

Duration: approx. 119 minutes.

Sung in Italian.