GOTHENBORG/SWEDEN: 2014 marks the 300th anniversary of the birth of opera composer Christoph Willibald Gluck
. For the first time at this opera house, the Göteborg Opera is staging one of his operas in a production which has attracted great international interest. The mythological lovers are interpreted by Katarina Karnéus and Kerstin Avemo who performed the acclaimed interpretations of Romeo and Juliet in Bellini’s I Capuleti e i Montecchi last season.

Orfeo ed Euridice is one of the best known stories from Greek mythology, with a theme that has touched people right from ancient times to today

. It is a study of grief and doubt. A meeting between two people who, on the surface, have a loving relationship, but who in reality neither understand nor rely on one another.

When Orpheus’ beloved wife Eurydice dies, his lament is so plangent that the Gods allow him to descend into Hades, the Underworld, to bring her back to the land of the living. But Amor, the God of Love, sets several conditions. With his art of singing, Orpheus must soften the hearts of the figures guarding the gates of the Underworld. On the way up, he must not look at Eurydice, and he must not tell her why. If he fails, Eurydice will die once more and remain in Hades.

Director for this production is David Radok, in-house director at The Göteborg Opera. The Göteborg Opera Orchestra is conducted by conductor Laurence Cummings. As Orfeo, we see and hear Katarina Karnéus, Euridice is performed by Kerstin Avemo and Amore is sung by Mia Karlsson
. The set design is created by Lars-Åke Thessman, costume design by Kerstin Erskine, light design by Torkel Blomkvist, choreography byHåkan Mayer. The Göteborg Opera Chorus and ten dancers take part.

International focus on The Göteborg Opera production
The Göteborg Opera’s Orfeo ed Euridice is the rarely staged Parma version in a new source-evaluation edition. In this edition, changes are made to discover Gluck’s original musical purpose. Gluck expert Gabriele Buschmeier is following the production, since it is the first time it is used anywhere in the world. There is an exceptionally large international interest directed at the Göteborg Opera right now.

Première 8 February 2014 at 6.00 pm.