Orpheus & Eurydice

This is a very sombre opera with ethereal characters, locations and events. In this adaption of the of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, Orfeo (Countertenor, Iestyn Davies) is entranced by Eurydice/Amore (Soprano, Samantha Clarke) who offer him the seemingly impossible opportunity to be reunited with his dead wife. The staging of this production contextualises the events in the asylum where Orfeo appears to be hallucinating. This works to emphasise the story as a very strange psychological journey of the protagonist. 

He descends into the Underworld where he is reunited with Eurydice and intends to rescue her. However, he must contend with the Furies (Opera Australia Chorus) and maintain a promise that he will not look at Eurydice. Orpheus is unable to convince Eurydice to leave the underworld as his refusal to look at her suggests he does not love her. He relents to her demands which results in her demise, but his disconnection with reality allows Eurydice/Amore to live again in his psyche. The opera culminates in a celebration of the triumph of love that employs the rituals of both funerals and weddings.

The set design (Yaron Lifschitz) creates the cold and austere atmosphere of the asylum which boldly amplifies the distortion of reality in this story. The awe-inspiring acrobatics of Circa Ensemble especially echo the extremity of Orfeo’s imagination. The production fuses contemporary dance and movement with gravity-defying trapeze artistry that elicits gasps from the audience. The stage is often crowded with the Furies and the dancers, reiterating the notion that the connection between the protagonists is very tenuous and illusive.   

Costume Designer, Libby McDonnell, has created dynamic costumes which blur the distinction between asylum inmates and personnel and between the dancers and the protagonists. This adds further obscurity to the story in a very alluring manner. The lighting design (Alexander Berlage) helps to create the starkness of the setting which is punctuated by spectacular lighting effects and striking projections (Boris Bagattini) that coincide perfectly with the highly dramatic events and nature of the music.

The uniqueness of Davies’s voice fuels the hallucinatory nature of the story and Clarke’s magnificent singing provides a very poignant performance. The music is beautifully executed by Orchestra Victoria, and this helps to create an atmosphere of intense emotions where the boundaries of the imagination are often tested.

This production results in a highly refined association between different art forms to capture the unusual and other worldly nature of this compelling opera. 

Patricia Di Risio 

Photographer: Jeff Busby