At the Edinburgh Playhouse I experienced Christoph Willibald Gluck’s Orpheus and Eurydice performed by Opera Queensland.
Despite the richness of the English language, I think there are not enough superlatives to praise the creation of this rendition of Gluck’s Orpheus and Eurydice. From the very opening where we see the superb funambulist as Eurydice descend twisting into the underworld hanging from a harness to the final dénouement, the staging was outstanding, the music perfection, the singing immensely moving, and the acrobatics stunning.
The set was minimalist but of a beautiful monochrome setting off the red of Eurydice’s dress with the surtitles projected onto the back often marvellously smoking and dissolving as the Italian was sung.
The conductor, Laurence Cummings, was masterful in his control of the wonderful Scottish Chamber Orchestra, whilst the singing of not only Iestyn Davies as Orpheus and Samantha Clarke as both Eurydice & Amor but also that of the chorus from Scottish Opera was flawless.
This production by Opera Queensland employing the astounding skills and beauty of the Australian contemporary circus company, Circa demanded a standing ovation, something I do not engage in lightly.
This must be rated on a scale of one to ten, as an eleven. My only regret is that I will be unable to see it again before it departs the Festival.
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