Composers: Gluck
Compositions: Orphée et Euridice
Performers: Juan Diego Flórez t, Christiane Karg s, Teatro alla Scala/Mariotti
Catalogue Number: Belvedere BVE08053 (DVD)

Orphée et Euridice is the sole example of Christoph Willibald Gluck’s “reform” operas to have consistently held the stage since its Viennese premiere in 1762. Abounding with the “noble simplicity” with which its composer aimed to replace the glittering encrustations of baroque opera seria, to do it justice, a director needs to understand Gluck’s objectives. In this Royal Opera House/La Scala co-production, it is clear that John Fulljames and Hofesh Shechter have done just that.

Orpheé...