This production is based on the myth of ORPHEUS and tells the story of a man, Orfeo, who goes against the Gods and tries to rescue his lover from the place of the dead, Hades.

Joining the company, playing the lead roles are professionals countertenor Daniel Keating-Roberts as Orfeo and soprano Jessica Leary as Euridice. Both give excellent performances with mention going to Daniel who emotionally leads us through Orfoe’s journey and at the same time brings the whole cast together.

The rest of the crew belongs to the Scottish Opera Young Company, aged 16 to 23 years old, and as the Chorus they sang with depth and feeling. They moved about the stage with determination, poise and grace, although the boys at first seemed less enthusiastic and you could almost feel the embarrassment as they “floated” Isadora Duncan(ish) across the stage. I’m sure that the inclusion of a talented young dancer, Kay Davis, from the Dance Studio Scotland at Glasgow Clyde College, who is there to embody the spirit of Euridice and who’s elegant balletic dances gave the rest of the young cast that little push to perform the movement and dance pieces with poise and solemn concentration, and to the best of their abilities. By the end all of the young people were fully engaged and giving it their all. With special mention to the three performers playing the spirit Amore, a part which was split into three cheeky Cupids, Ines Mayhew-Begg, Cara Blaikie and Holly Jarvis.

Best Wordpress Gallery Plugin

Set designer Finlay McLay along with the director started with the idea of using mirrors and reflections. The idea being that the mirror was thought to reflect the soul and it’s through a shattered mirror that Orfeo begins his journey into the underworld. The set is simple and uncluttered, which and along with the lighting, designed by Roy Herd, takes us from the fields of Elysium to Hades.

Altogether, a very enjoyable production and would be an ideal introduction to opera for the uninitiated, at only 75 minutes straight through, it has a clear story and is performed in English.

English translator – Anne Riddler, Orchestral reduction – Tony Burke

Directed by Caroline Clegg and the company’s New Artistic director Jonathon Swinard conducts.

Peter Callaghan
Latest posts by Peter Callaghan (see all)