Orfeo ed Euridice; Daegu Opera House

The Daegu Opera House is staging Gluck's "Orfeo ed Euridice" as its first opera of the season, starting from March 22.

"Orfeo ed Euridice" is based on the famous Greek myth of Orpheus, the master of harp, who moved even trees and rocks. It is about Orpheus, who suddenly went down to the underworld looking for his dead wife Eurydice, breaking God's warning to "never look back until he reaches the earth," and eventually facing a tragic result. 

However, Gluck's opera has a happy ending in which Orpheus moves God and moves safely to the earth with Eurydice. The characters' names were also changed from Orpheus to Orfeo and from Eurydice to Euridice.

Starting with "Orfeo ed Euridice," Gluck showed his own style of work that increased the role of the midsole and chorus, especially expanding the proportion of ballet, moving away from the vocal-centered Italian opera form, which had an absolute advantage at the time.

This work, which combines basic elements that make up opera such as lyrics, melody, orchestral music, acting, and dance at a high level, is of great musical historical significance enough to be evaluated as the "initiation of modern opera," but it was not easy to meet on the domestic opera stage.

On this day's stage, Cho Jung-hyun, the conductor who won the Blue Danube International Command Competition for the first time as a Korean, will stand at the podium and be directed by a solemnity who is considered to effectively reveal character relationships and psychology.

As for Orfeo, mezzo-soprano Jungmi Kim, who is considered to be the best in barge (female vocalist plays the male role) in Korea, and new mezzo-soprano Kim Ga-young, who is active in Germany, will be on the stage. As for the role of Euridice, you can meet top-notch singers such as George Young and Kim Hye-hyun.

In addition, the combination of heaven and hell, colorful stage changes on earth and modern dance, which will be presented for about 80 minutes of performance, adds to the attractions.

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