New production with Stéphane Fuget, new conductor in residence

After the great success won last summer with the public and the critics in the Return of Ulysses directed by Stéphane Fuget, he continues the Monteverdian trilogy with the Orfeo. Monteverdi’s Orfeo is recognized as the first masterwork in the history of opera. It was first successfully performed in Mantua in 1607. Striggio’s libretto tells the story of dead Eurydice, Orfeo’s bride, who has received a fatal snakebite. In the underworld, affected by Orfeo’s singing, Plutone and Proserpina release Euridice on the condition that Orfeo must not look back while leading his bride to the world. But Orfeo looks back and Euridice disappears again. Monteverdi impressively uses the different colors of the orchestra for dramatic purposes, especially the use of trombones. With simple resources he achieves an extraordinary musical intensity. The audience is deeply moved by the arias: Orfeo crying Euridice’s death «Tu se’ morta, se’ morta mia vita» or «Rendetemi il mio ben, Tartarei Numi ?» his beautiful request to release Euridice. We are very happy to welcome Julian Prégardien, our ideal Orfeo, but also three admirable young talents Gwendoline Blondeel, Ewa Zaïcik and Marie Perbost in the main roles of Euridice, La Messageria and Proserpina.