170. Orpheus and Eurydice (Orfeo ed Euridice) 1936
Opera in Two Acts and Four Scenes
- Music
Christoph Willibald Gluck (Orfeo ed Euridice, produced 1762, with ballet music from the Paris production of 1774). Libretto by Raniero da Calzabigi
- Choreography
George Balanchine
- Production
Stage production conceived by George Balanchine and Pavel Tchelitchew. Scenery and costumes by Pavel Tchelitchew. Scenery painted by Joseph Novak
- Premiere
May 22, 1936, Metropolitan Opera, New York. Danced by American Ballet Ensemble. Conductor: Richard Hageman
- Cast
SINGERS: Orpheus, Anna Kaskas; Eurydice, Jeanne Pengelly; Amor, Maxine Stellman; and others. DANCERS: Orpheus, Lew Christensen; Eurydice, Daphne Vane; Amor, William Dollar; Shepherds and Nymphs, Furies and Ghosts from Hades, Heroes from Elysium, Followers of Orpheus, corps de ballet.
Act I: SCENE I. At the tomb of Eurydice. SCENE 2. Entrance to Hades.
Act II: SCENE I. The Elysian Fields. SCENE 2. The Gardens of the Temple of Love.
Act I: SCENE I. At the tomb of Eurydice. SCENE 2. Entrance to Hades.
Act II: SCENE I. The Elysian Fields. SCENE 2. The Gardens of the Temple of Love.
Performance Type
Opera
See Also
-
345. Orpheus und Eurydike (Orfeo ed Euridice),
399. Orfeo ed Euridice, 400. Chaconne
Note
An original production staged by Balanchine at the Metropolitan; the singers were invisible in the orchestra pit while the dancers performed the action on stage; atmospheric scenic effects ended with a vast night-sky of stars. The innovative and controversial production was presented only twice.
Balanchine reconceived and directed Orpheus and Eurydice for the Hamburgische Staatsoper in 1963; this all-new choreography.was performed in a new production of the Théâtre National de l’Opéra, Paris, in 1973 and the Chicago Lyric Opera in 1975 and forms the basis for the ballet Chaconne [400], first presented by the New York City Ballet in 1976.
Additional Productions
Other Versions
1963, Hamburgische Staatsoper.
Information about later productions provided by Balanchine, Barbara Horgan.
