Step inside the myth in the University of Arizona Opera Theater’s immersive new production of Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice. This is not a traditional sit-down opera: the performance begins outdoors, moves with the audience into Crowder Hall, and reimagines the space by flipping the usual relationship between stage and seating.
Inspired by the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus, the legendary musician whose song could move both mortals and gods, Orfeo ed Euridice tells the poignant story of a love so profound that it challenges death itself. Following the tragic loss of her beloved Euridice, Orfeo is granted a single chance to journey into the underworld and lead her back to the world of the living. The only condition: Euridice must not look back at Orfeo until they have safely returned. What follows is an emotionally charged exploration of love, grief, trust, and the enduring power of hope.
Premiering in Vienna in 1762, Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice marked a revolutionary moment in operatic history. Rejecting the elaborate conventions of Baroque opera, Gluck created a work of extraordinary dramatic clarity, allowing music, poetry, and movement to serve the emotional truth of the story. More than 260 years later, its expressive simplicity and profound humanity continue to captivate audiences around the world.
This University of Arizona production highlights Gluck’s luminous score through expressive staging, elegant visual design, and dynamic choreography, creating an immersive theatrical experience that speaks to contemporary audiences while honoring the opera’s classical origins. Featuring talented student artists from the School of Music, the production showcases the next generation of operatic performers in one of the repertoire’s most beloved works.
“Orfeo ed Euridice reminds us that words and music have the power to transcend suffering and connect us to our deepest humanity,” said Cynthia Stokes, The Amelia T. Rieman Endowed Chair for Opera Theater .”Orfeo reminds us that grief is messy, and the journey of transformation is as important today as it was over 300 years ago.”
Opera Theater at University of Arizona welcomes Professor Julie Desbordes, The Nelson Riddle Endowed Chair and the new Director of Orchestras who will conduct the production.
Professor Desbordes, says, “At its heart, Orfeo ed Euridice is a celebration of music’s ability to transcend grief and illuminate our shared humanity. Gluck transformed opera by placing emotional truth at the center of the drama, and I am excited for our students and audiences to experience the beauty, intimacy, and enduring relevance of this remarkable work together.”
The production demonstrates the University of Arizona Opera Theater’s commitment to collaboration, inventive productions that combine artistic excellence with innovative storytelling and unique student training.
Performances:
Wednesday, November 18 at 7 p.m.
Thursday, November 19 at 7 p.m.
Friday, November 20 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, November 21 at 7 p.m.
$22 GA | $16.50 Military & Senior | $11 Students
