From the Guest Curator, Dorothy Kosinsky:
Orpheus first appears in recorded history in the sixth century BCE in a fragment of writing by the Ancient Greek lyric poet Ibycus, who refers to “famous Orpheus”. Later ancient Greek writers and historians describe Orpheus as a poet, musician, initiate, priest, magician, civilizer, heroic intruder in the Hades, lamenting lover, and victim of Dionysian fury. These multiple roles have inspired countless depictions and interpretations in literature and the visual arts over centuries from antiquity to the present.
Show Notes
Christoph Willibald Gluck (1714–1787) - Orfeo ed Euridice Act 3: “Che farò senza Euridice" Jade Etienne, mezzo-soprano
Jacques Offenbach (1819–1880) - Orpheus in the Underworld Can-Can from the Overture
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) - Piano Concerto no. 4 in G major, Opus 58
Richard Wagner (1813–1883) - Good Friday Music from Parsifal Arr. for chamber orchestra by Iain Farrington
Gustav Mahler (1860–1911) - Ending of “VI. The Farewell” from The Song of the Earth. Jade Etienne, mezzo-soprano. Chamber orchestra version by Arnold Schönberg and Rainer Riehn.
Philip Glass (b. 1937) - Orphée’s return from opera Orphée
Igor Stravinsky (1882–1971) - Orpheus Ballet: First Scene. Orpheus weeps for Eurydice Pas d’action. The Bacchantes attack Orpheus Third Scene. Orpheus Apotheosis