C.W. Gluck: The last Day

[David-G]

Berlioz admired Gluck deeply. I love this quote from a letter to his sister when as a newly-arrived student in Paris he saw Gluck at the Opera. "The Opéra is something different (sc. than the lectures he had been attending); I doubt I can give you even the slightest idea of what it is like. Short of fainting I could not have been more moved than when I saw a performance of Gluck’s masterpiece Iphigénie en Tauride. Imagine for a start an orchestra of eighty players performing with such ensemble that you would think they are a single instrument. The opera begins: in the distance you can see a vast plain (yes! the illusion is complete) and further away the sea is visible. The orchestra announces a storm, black clouds are seen descending slowly and cover the entire plain. The theatre is only lit by flashes of lightning which tear the clouds, all done with a realism and perfection that have to be seen to be believed. There is a moment of silence when no actor steps forward. The orchestra murmurs softly, as though you could hear the wind blowing […]. Gradually the scene becomes more agitated, a storm breaks out, and you see Orestes and Pylades in chains brought by the barbarians from Tauris, who sing the terrifying chorus: "Il faut du sang pour venger nos crimes" ["We demand blood to avenge our crimes"]. It is unbearable; I defy even the most insensitive person not to be deeply moved by the sight of these two unfortunates each clamouring for death as the greatest blessing. And when finally she is rejected by Orestes, well, it is his sister, Iphigenia, the priestess of Diana who must slaughter her brother. It is terrifying, you see. I could never describe to you with any degree of truth the feeling of horror one experiences when Orestes collapses to the ground saying: "Le calme rentre dans mon cœur" ["Calm returns to my heart"]. He is asleep and sees the shade of the mother he slaughtered wandering around with various ghosts brandishing in their hands two infernal torches. And the orchestra! it was all in the orchestra. If you heard how it depicts every situation, especially when Orestes seems to be calm; well, the violins hold a note that suggests repose, very softly; but underneath you can hear the basses muttering like the remorse which, despite his apparent calm, is still to be heard in the parricide’s heart."

[Dave2002]

Orpheus and Eurydice is on in Brussels, though I suspect it's sold out - http://www.lamonnaie.be/fr/opera/323/Orphee-et-Eurydice
Runs to 2nd July.

[BBMmk2]

Well a bit like with my anathema towards Mozart, although with Mozart there some works I do like!

[jean]

Orpheus and Eurydice is on in Brussels, though I suspect it's sold out - http://www.lamonnaie.be/fr/opera/323/Orphee-et-Eurydice Runs to 2nd July.

Nearer home, it's on at Buxton this year too, with Michael Chance:

http://www.buxtonfestival.co.uk/opera-series/orfeo-ed-eurydice/

[Dave2002]

Nearer home, it's on at Buxton this year too, with Michael Chance:

http://www.buxtonfestival.co.uk/oper...o-ed-eurydice/

Thanks. I wonder what that'll be like. I thought the seats would be sold out, but there are still some available. Might check out the dates, or indeed some of the other Buxton offerings - mmmm "The opposite of love is sausage" - interesting - http://www.buxtonfestival.co.uk/

[doversoul1]

Orfeo ed Euridice: CD Review 5 July

9.30am Building a Library

Gluck's 'Orfeo ed Euridice' has been performed in many different versions, and for this week's Buiding a Library Simon Heighes investigates recordings of the original, revolutionary score of 1762, and makes a personal recommendation.

[ed] Please go to the usual BaL place

http://www.for3.org/forums/showthread.php?11556-BaL-5-07-14-Gluck-s-Orfeo-ed-Euridice