Orpheus and Eurydice, The Coliseum - ★★★★ - Until November 19, 2019



Gluck's heartbreaking 1762 opera is given a time-unspecific production by Wayne McGregor using three singers and fourteen dancers on the vast Coliseum stage to great effect. The chorus sang very impressively from the pit amidst the superb orchestra under Harry Bicket who gave a beautifully nuanced performance. At the outset, it was announced that Alice Coote (Orpheus) had not fully recovered from an infection. She may have husbanded her vocal resources, but it still sounded superb, especially in the final act. "I have lost my Eurydice" was gloriously sad and the climactic scenes rightly broke the audience's heart. Sarah Tynan (Eurydice), always impresses and she sang beautifully with gorgeous tone. Soraya Mafi was also outstanding as Love. Overall this was a musically glorious evening! We weren't totally convinced by the concept, the costumes seemed sometimes unflattering, and there were some first-night blips in the lighting in Act One, but the final scenes looked perfect. The "Dance of the Blessed Spirits" was extremely beautifully danced in McGregor's unmistakable choreographic style, and with this stunningly well sung performance the director achieved his stated goal of creating “An Act of Beauty.”

 Reviewed by D.S.J.

 Our Score:  ☆☆☆☆ 

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 WHEN, WHERE, GETTING THERE:
Until November 19, 2019
Oct 10, 17, 24, 31 & Nov 14, 19 at 7:30 pm
Oct 12 at 2:30 pm
The Coliseum
Nearest station: Charing Cross
https://www.eno.org/whats-on/orpheus-and-eurydice/
Map & Location: St Martin's Ln, Charing Cross, London WC2N 4ES, UK

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