L ORFEO

What makes Claudio Monteverdi’s Favola d’Orfeo (Legend of Orpheus), premiered at the northern Italian court in Mantua in 1607, the very first opera? Naturally there were a few forerunners. However, for the first time the music in this work itself not only symbolically takes up the words as an allegory in the prologue but the entire scenic events are musically interwoven congenially. The Orpheus settings from the ancient and renaissance eras portrayed the mythical singer, who knew how to charm all nature and even softened the underworld, as rather more a virtuoso master of eloquence than an interpreter of music. It was only Monteverdi that by inviting a celebration of the achievements of a new »representative style« (stile rappresentativo) unleashed new musical driving forces. Polyphonic, lively dance-like, or solemnly measured choirs and a richly cast instrumental apparatus frame Monteverdi's tonal depiction of words and affect, that touches us to this day with undiminished freshness and depth of expression. After jubilant, heavenly wedding preparations are abruptly interrupted by the news of the death of the bride Eurydice, who died from a snakebite, we traverse with the orphaned Orpheus the abysses of mourning and despair, and accompany him on his way into the underworld. After he »has let go of every hope«, he starts a song of mourning that pulls all the heartstrings of internalized pain and highly virtuoso alienation. Paradoxically, this heartfelt centerpiece of the opera leads us however not to power, but to the impotence of the song before our eyes: Charon, the ferryman, remains deaf to this imploring supplication and refuses to cross into the realm of the dead. Only the fact that he falls asleep enables Orpheus to sneak there unheroically. And it's not Orpheus’ singing immediately either, but only the intercession of the wife of Pluto, the god of the dead, that convinces him to consent to the return of Eurydice. This may only happen on the condition that causes Orpheus to lose her a second time. The triumph and misery of art have therefore been part of the opera genre ever since the beginning, inscribed as: »Try again. Fail again. Fail better.« (Beckett) Director Tom Morris invites us all as visitors to a wedding party that he has imagined as the framework for his staging as a contemporary equivalent to the courtly festival.


ATTENTION: The actual beginning time for performances at the Vienna State Opera without time specification have been not yet announced, actual beginning time of those performances will be published by the Vienna State Opera and on our web site at latest 1 month in advance. The user is due to provide himself with the accurate beginning time for those performances.


At every seat and standing room space in the auditorium, you can follow the performance reading German or English subtitles. Please switch on the monitor by pressing the pushbutton and select your language.

program

L'Orfeo
Musik: Claudio Monteverdi
Text: Alessandro Striggio
→ Favola in musica in fünf Akten und einem Prolog

Place

Vienna State Opera – World-Renowned Stage for Opera and Ballet in the Heart of Vienna

The Vienna State Opera is one of the world's leading opera houses and a cultural landmark of Austria. Located prominently in the heart of Vienna, along the famous Ringstrasse, it offers outstanding opera productions featuring international stars and a renowned ballet ensemble.

Since its grand opening in 1869, the Vienna State Opera has been synonymous with musical excellence, artistic perfection, and an extensive repertoire ranging from operatic classics to contemporary works. Each season, it stages more than 300 performances, including world-famous operas such as Mozart’s "The Magic Flute", Verdi’s "La Traviata", and Puccini’s "Tosca".

Alongside its acclaimed opera productions, the Vienna State Opera is also home to the celebrated Vienna State Ballet, renowned for both classical and contemporary dance performances. The annual Vienna Opera Ball is a prestigious social event with international prominence.

Getting There by Public Transport

Subway:

• Lines U1, U2, U4 – Karlsplatz station, direct access

Tram:

• Lines 1, 2, D, 62, 71 – Oper/Karlsplatz stop

Bus:

• Line 59A – Oper stop

Its central location on Vienna’s Ringstrasse ensures convenient and easy access.

Vienna State Opera – A Symbol of Viennese Culture and Musical Excellence

As one of the world's premier opera houses, the Vienna State Opera is an essential destination for opera enthusiasts, music lovers, and visitors seeking to experience the cultural heart of Vienna.