There is no need to introduce Orfeo, one of the major works in the opera world, performed on stages all over the world.
8 March 2017 - Royal Opera Monteverdi: Orfeo
Les Arts Florissants have already given it several times (notably in Madrid, as part of a Monteverdi trilogy by Pizzi). However 2017 will see the very first interpretation of this work under the direction of Paul Agnew, the joint musical director and associate conductor of the Ensemble, after performing Monteverdi’s complete madrigals over four years of concerts all around Europe. Paul Agnew heads the creation of this new production. At his side, Cyril Auvity sings Orfeo, with a number of singers, mostly coming from the Jardin des Voix and the artistic team from the complete Monteverdi madrigals with Alain Blanchot designing the costumes – his magnificent work for 11 Sant’Alessio or Rameau, maître à danser was greatly acclaimed by the press.
“This is an intimate production of Orfeo. The relatively simple sets place the work back in its antique context and put the music and through the music the text, at the heart of the performance and of the spectator’s experience. It is through simplicity that the essential principle in all Monteverdi’s work – that text guides harmony – can be accomplished.” Paul Agnew
Programme
Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643)
Orfeo
Opéra en 5 actes avec prologue. Livret d’Alessandro Striggio.
Créé au Palazzo Ducale de Mantoue le 24 février 1607
Distribution
Cyril Auvity Orfeo
Hannah Morrison Euridice / Musica
Paul Agnew Apollo
Miriam Allan Proserpine / Ninfa
Lea Desandre Messaggeria / Speranza
Carlo Vistoli Spirito infernale / Pastore
Sean Clayton Pastore
Zachary Wilder Spirito infernale / Pastore
Antonio Abete Pluton / Spirito infernale / Pastore
Cyril Constanzo Caronto / Spirito infernale
Les Arts Florissants
Paul Agnew Conductor and staging
Practical information
Wednesday 8 March 2017 - 8pm
