Orfeo ed Euridice

Orfeo ed Euridice is is an opera composed by Christoph Willibald Gluck, based on the myth of Orpheus and set to a libretto by Ranieri de' Calzabigi.

The original text

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

A production was presented by University of Cape Town Opera Company in the early years of the company.

1947: Albert Coates presented/conducted a production in 1947.

1970: Concert version presented by NAPAC Opera.

2010: Vignettes from Norma and Orfeo ed Euridice presented by Black Tie Ensemble at the Brooklyn Theatre (production sponsored by The Oppenheimer Memorial Trust and the National Arts Council), Director - Marcus Desando, Piano & harpsichord - Susan Steenkamp-Swanepoel and Willem Luitingh, Flute - Melissa Hall, Costume coordinators - Bronwen Lovegrove and Louisa Raditla, Chorus master - Susan Steenkamp-Swanepoel, Assistant to the director & stage manager - Thabang Senekal, Surtitle operator - Madeleen Engelbrecht. With Jonathan Watkins (Orfeo), Bongiwe Madlala (Euridice), Louette Johnston (Amore) and Black Tie Ensemble Chorus.

2019: Presented by Cape Town Opera was presented at the Baxter Theatre in a new production by Matthew Wild, choreographer Louisa Talbot, and designers Chris Pienaar, Birrie le Roux and Kobus Rossouw. British-Singaporean mezzo Fleur Barron shone as Orphée, with support from Hlengiwe Mkhwanazi, Brittany Smith, the CTO Chorus. Conducted by Tim Murray.

Sources

Sjoerd Alkema. 2012. "Conductors of the Cape Town Municipal Orchestra, 1914-1965: a historical perspective". University of Cape Town. Unpublished PhD thesis.

Alexandra Xenia Sabina Mossolow. 2003. The career of South African soprano Nellie du Toit, born 1929. Unpublished Masters thesis. University of Stellenbosch.

https://capetownopera.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/AR-Version-10.pdf

Antoinette Johanna Olivier. 2014. 'Exploring contributions to opera by The Black Tie Ensemble: a historical case study'. Mini-dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master‟s in Music at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University.