Composed in 1607, it is the first major work of a musical genre that would soon become one of the most appreciated for centuries: the opera. The choice of the myth of Orpheus by Monteverdi is understandable both for its archaic theme as for the power attributed to music.
With his voice Orpheus convinces beasts and gods to descend to hell to rescue his beloved. With this emblematic work, Monteverdi had already introduced musical elements that would later be consolidated in opera, such as the aria, strophic singing, leitmotive, instrumentation with an inspiration in drama and the recitative
Sala Cecilia Meireles, Rio de Janeiro, July/August 1998.
Musical direction and conducting at the harpsichord: Marcelo Fagerlande
Stage direction: Alberto Renault
Lighting: Paulo Pederneiras
Costumes: Cláudia Kopke e Alberto Renault
Scenery and props: Martin Corullon
Cast: Joseph Cornwell, Carol McDavit, Joana Thomé, Paulo Mestre, Lukas D’Oro, Mirna Rubin, Lício Bruno, Marcelo Coutinho and others Coro Calíope, preparatory maestro: Julio Moretzohn
Orchestra with original instruments; spalla: Luiz Otávio Santos
Participation by the group Les Sonneurs, Montreal.
A production included in the list of the year’s ten best musical events (O Globo)
