Orphee et Euridice (Paris version)

Composer: Gluck, Christoph Willibald

Librettist/Text Author: Moline, Pierre Louis

Conductor: Bisanti, Giampaolo

Orchestra: Bologna Teatro Comunale Orchestra

Chorus: Bologna Teatro Comunale Chorus

Chorus Master: Vero, Paolo

Euridice: Gamberoni, Serena

Le Guide: Barrard, Marc

Oprhee: Alagna, Roberto

Set Designer: Alagna, David

Costume Designer: Teti, Carla

Lighting Designer: Solbiati, Aldo

Stage Director: Alagna, David

Television Director: Alagna, David

Television Director: Petitet, Arnaud

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Date of Production: 01-2008

Venue: Teatro Comunale, Bologna

Playing Time: 02:02:38

Catalogue Number: BAC052

UPC: 3760115300521

Synopsis

Orphee et Euridice (Paris version)

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Roberto Alagna as Orpheus in his brother David?EUR(TM)s new version of the Gluck masterpiece. A major event recorded in Bologna.

Opting for the French-language version of Gluck's Orpheus, David Alagna was faced with the task of achieving an appropriately subtle adaptation. In a plot transposed to the present day, Eurydice dies in a car accident on the day of her wedding, and Orpheus's quest for his beloved is a dream beginning and ending at the cemetery. No happy ending in this interpretation, but a new approach to characterisation: Amore, sung by a baritone, becomes a funeral parlour employee and Orpheus's guide. And Orpheus, of course, loses his loved one forever by turning to look back.

The enormously talented Roberto Alagna throws himself body and soul into this production. His incredible vitality and flawless timbre and diction make him a great Orpheus. His partner, young Italian soprano Serena Gamberoni, is simply stunning as Euridice, while French baritone Marc Barrard is suitably terrifying as the guide to the Underworld. The orchestra of the Teatro Comunale di Bologna is conducted by Giampaolo Bisanti, who masterfully brings out all Gluck's poetry, romantic melancholy and depth.