Orphee Et Eurydice

Album Description

Superstar tenor Juan Diego Flórez records his first major opera role outside of the bel canto repertoire with this recording of Gluck's landmark opera. Flórez stars as the musician and poet Orpheus in Gluck's mythical opera of love and loss, Orphée et Eurydice (Orpheus and Eurydice) Following acclaimed performances at the Teatro Real in Madrid, Decca is proud to record and release the complete live performance. The opera is heard in the 1774 Paris version, sung in French. Gluck originally wrote the opera in Italian featuring a castrato, but for the Paris premiere he had the opera translated, re-wrote the lead for a high tenor and expanded the ballet music. The opera tells of the poet and musician Orpheus who travels to the underworld in search of his wife Eurydice, on the understanding that he doesn't look at her until they are back on earth. When she misinterprets his distance, he is compelled to turn and face her, only to see her die a second time. Moved by the intensity of Orpheus' devotion, L'Amour returns Eurydice to life once more as all ends happily. Gluck's opera has recently enjoyed more popularity and has even (in the Italian version) been featured as a Live in HD Metropolitan Opera Broadcast. With this performance featuring the talent of Juan Diego Flórez, Gluck's opera is destined to gain even more popularity.