The opera entitled "Orpheus and Eurydice" is the first work in which the new ideas of composer Gluck were realized. Its premiere took place in 1762, on October 5. A summary of the opera Orpheus and Eurydice is set forth in this article.
Reform of the opera in the work
This work marked the beginning of the reform of the opera. The recitative was written in such a way that the meaning of the words came first, and the orchestra part obeyed the mood of the stage. Static singing figures in the work began to play. Singing was thus combined with action. At the same time, his technique was greatly simplified, but meanwhile it became much more attractive and more natural. The overture promoted the introduction of follow-up into the mood and atmosphere. In addition, Gluck turned the choir into an integral part of the drama. The dramatic structure of the opera is based on finished musical numbers. They, like the Aryans, captivate with completeness and melodic beauty.
The plot of love Eurydice and Orpheus
The plot of the love of Eurydice and Orpheus is one of the most widespread in the opera. Prior to Gluck, it was used in their works by Landi, Monteverdi, Caccini, Peri and other authors. However, it was Gluck who embodied and interpreted it in a new way. After reading the summary of the opera "Orpheus and Eurydice", you will learn, for example, what was special about the finale. New features presented for the first time in the work reflect the author’s search for many years of creativity.
The option chosen by Gluck
Of the many options for this legend was selected set out in the "Georgians" created by Virgil. This reflects the summary of the opera Orpheus and Eurydice. We will not describe the very work of Virgil, but the opera in brief. In it, the heroes appear in touching and stately simplicity, endowed with feelings accessible to the ordinary person. The choice was affected by the author’s protest against rhetoric, false pathos, and also the pretentiousness of feudal nobility art.
First and second editions
In the first edition of the work presented in Vienna in October 1762, October 5, Gluck has not yet completely freed himself from the tradition of ceremonial performances that existed at that time. The content of the opera Orpheus and Eurydice was somewhat different than now. For example, the party of Orpheus was entrusted to the alto-castrato, the role of Amur (decorative) was introduced, the ending was happy, contrary to myth. The second edition (1774, August 2, Paris) was significantly different from the first. The contents of the opera "Orpheus and Eurydice" in it has changed significantly. The text of de Molina was rewritten. The party of Orpheus sounded more natural and expressive, which was transmitted to the tenor and expanded. The scene in hell, which is also described by the summary of the opera Orpheus and Eurydice, Gluck completed with music from the ballet Don Giovanni (the final part). Introduced flute solo into the music of "blissful shadows." Later it was known as the “Melody” of Gluck in concert practice.
The opera was resumed in 1859 by Berlioz. Pauline Viardot acted as Orpheus. Since that time, there is a tradition according to which the title part is performed by the singer.
Further we offer reading the contents of the opera Orpheus and Eurydice (Gluck).
First action
Orpheus had just lost Eurydice, his beautiful wife, and the opera, after a rather vigorous rhythm of the overture, begins in front of her tomb, in the grotto. First, accompanied by a choir of shepherds and nymphs, and then alone, as the contents of the opera Orpheus and Eurydice say, Orpheus mourns his girlfriend. He finally decides to return her from the underworld. To do this, he wants to take possession of Hades, while armed only with inspiration, tears and lyre. The gods, however, took pity on him. Cupid (i.e. Cupid, or Eros) tells Orpheus that he can enter the underworld. If his melodious voice, the delight of a gentle lyre, pacifies the wrath of the rulers of fatal darkness, he will be able to lead his beloved out of the abyss of hell.
Conditions set by the gods
The main character needs to fulfill only one condition at the same time: not to cast a single glance at Eurydice and not turn around until he brings the unharmed spouse back to earth. Not looking at her is the hardest thing to do, so the hero asks for the help of the gods. The sound of the drums at this moment depicts thunder, lightning flashes. This marks the beginning of a difficult journey.
Second action
The second action takes place in Hades, the underworld of the dead. Here Orpheus first defeats the Furies (aka Eumenides), after which he takes his wife from the Blessed Shadows. The Fury Choir is intimidating and dramatic, however gradually, as the main character sings and plays the lyre, they soften. His music is extremely simple, but it dramatically conveys the drama of what is happening. In the opera, the rhythmic pattern used in this episode is repeated more than once in the future. The Furies conclude with a ballet dance. Gluck composed it a little earlier in order to portray the convergence of Don Juan to hell.
The Kingdom of Blessed Shadows is called Elysium. At first, the scene was dimly lit, as if in the morning dawn. However, gradually the light fills it. A sad Eurydice appears with a wandering gaze that yearns for his friend. After it is removed, the blessed shadows gradually fill the scene. They walk in groups. This action is a dance of Blessed Shadows (in other words - gavotte), well known now. He is accompanied by a flute solo, unusually expressive.
After Orpheus with the Furies leaves, Eurydice with the blessed shadows sings about a quiet life in the afterlife paradise - Elysium. After their disappearance, Orpheus reappears. He is now alone, singing the beauty that appeared to his gaze. The orchestra enthusiastically plays a hymn in which the beauties of nature are praised. The blessed shadows attracted by his singing return again. They themselves are still invisible, but their choir sounds.
Here is a small group leading Eurydice. The girl's face covers the veil. Joins one of the Shadows of the hands of lovers, removes the veil from Eurydice. When she recognizes her husband, she wants to express enthusiasm, but the Shadow gives Orpheus a sign that he does not turn his head. He holds the hand of his wife and goes in front, ascends the path to the exit from the underworld. At the same time, he does not turn his head to her, remembering well the condition set by the gods.
Third action
The last action begins with the fact that the main character leads his wife to the earth with gloomy transitions along a rocky landscape, winding paths, and also rocks dangerously hanging over them. Eurydice knows nothing about the ban of the gods to Orpheus to cast a glance at her even before the spouses reach the earth. As you move, Eurydice gradually transforms into a real woman from the Blessed Shadow, which she was in the previous action. She has a hot temperament. Therefore, Eurydice, not understanding why Orpheus behaves this way, bitterly complains to him how he is indifferent to her now. She turns to her husband, either enthusiastically, then gently, then with despair, then with bewilderment. The heroine makes the assumption that perhaps Orpheus fell out of love with her. While he convinces his wife of the opposite, she becomes even more persistent. The woman eventually tries to drive her husband away. Their voices merge at this dramatic moment.
Orpheus embraces Eurydice, looks at her. She dies when he touches her. After this follows the most famous moment in the opera - an aria called "I have lost Eurydice." The main character in desperation wants to kill himself with a dagger. This dramatic moment continues the content of the opera Orpheus and Eurydice. Orpheus mourns (Eurydice is already dead) the death of his wife. The main character takes a dagger, but Cupid appears to him at the last moment and stops him. The God of love cries out passionately: "Eurydice, Sunday." She wakes up from a dream. The gods are so amazed at the fidelity of the protagonist, Amur says that they decided to reward him.
Happy ending
The final scene takes place in the temple of the god Amur. This is a series of dances, choirs and solos for the glory of love. This end is much happier than that known in mythology. Eurydice, according to the myth, remains dead, and her husband is torn to pieces by Thracian women, indignant that he neglected them, indulging in selflessly sweet sorrow.
Such, in brief, is the content of the opera Orpheus and Eurydice (the plot of the work).