Mark Morris’s acclaimed production returns! This complete vision for Gluck, with choreography by Morris and costumes by Isaac Mizrahi, features the artistry of Stephanie Blythe in the title role. The alluring Danielle de Niese is Orfeo’s adored wife, Euridice, who inspires the hero to face the underworld for her sake. Music Director James Levine conducts.

Composer: Christoph Willibald von Gluck

Synopsis
Act I
Scene 1 A lonely grove—Euridice’s grave
Nymphs and shepherds lament the death of Euridice, who was bitten by a snake (Chorus: “Ah, se intorno a quest’ urna funesta”). Left alone, Orfeo, Euridice’s husband, adds his voice to the rites (“Chiamo il mio ben così”). Only Echo replies. Orfeo vows to rescue Euridice from the underworld (“Numi! barbari numi”).

Scene 2
Amor, god of love, appears with word that Jove, pitying Orfeo, will allow him to descend into the land of the dead to retrieve Euridice. To make this trial more difficult, Orfeo must neither look at Euridice, nor explain why looking is forbidden. Otherwise he will lose her forever (“Gli sguardi trattieni”). Orfeo agrees and begins his voyage.

Act II
Scene 1 The Gate of Hades
Furies and ghosts try to deny Orfeo’s passage to the underworld ( “Chi mai dell’Erebo”). His lament softens and placates them. He is eventually allowed to pass through to the Elysian Fields.

Scene 2 Elysium
Orfeo is moved by the beauty of the landscape (“Che puro ciel, che chiaro sol”). Heroes and heroines bring Euridice to him ( “Torna, o bella, al tuo consorte”). Without looking at her, he takes her away.

Act III
Scene 1 A dark labyrinth
Orfeo leads Euridice toward the upper world, forbidden to look at her ( “Vieni, segui i miei passi”). Orfeo can’t explain (“Vieni, appaga il tuo consorte!”). Euridice panics at the thought of a life without the love of Orfeo (“Che fiero momento”). In desperation he turns to her. She dies, again. Grief-stricken, Orfeo wonders how he can live without her (“Che farò senza Euridice?”). He decides to kill himself.

Scene 2
Amor reappears and stays Orfeo’s hand. In response to Orfeo’s deep love and devotion, Amor revives Euridice, again. The three return to Earth.

Scene 3 The Temple of Love
Orfeo, Euridice, Amor, the nymphs, and the shepherds all celebrate the power of love with song and dance (“Trionfi Amore!”).

CAST
Euridice  Danielle de Niese
Amor  Heidi Grant Murphy
Orfeo  Stephanie Blythe

Conductor  James Levine
Production  Mark Morris
Set Designer  Allen Moyer
Costume Designer  Isaac Mizrahi
Lighting Designer  James F. Ingalls
Choreographer  Mark Morris