Glucks Orfeo ed Euridice is one of music history’s most important operas. The cast is led by Bejun Mehta, Eva Liebau as Euridice and Regula Mühlemann as Amore. Director Ondej Havelka combines period details with modern psychological interpretation. The baroque specialist Václav Luks leads the Collegium 1704 and Collegium Vocale 1704. This cinematic edition celebrates Glucks 2014 tricentenary!
VIDEO CLIPS
Film of Gluck Orfeo ed Euridice (1762 Vienna Version)
May 2014 sees the release of a new movie version of Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice (ArtHaus Musik) which Bejun shot in the Czech Republic in September 2013. Bejun is both the eponymous hero of the piece as well as the Artistic Advisor for the project.
The film was shot entirely on location in the historic Baroque Theatre of the Český Krumlov Castle. The theatre dates from 1680, and maintains today the stage equipment and machinery from the 1765-66 renovation, making it one of the oldest functioning Baroque theatres in the world. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This is not a film of a staged opera production for a public audience. This is an opera production designed specifically for film. There was no audience, all takes were sung live, and the entire spectrum of the theatre was used, including the backstage space, the flyspace, hallways, cellars, and the auditorium itself.
Director Ondrej Havelka captures much more than a stage performance: combining period details with modern psychological interpretation he chooses a cinematic approach that literally takes us behind the scenes of this unique venue. Bejun Mehta, ‘arguably the best countertenor in the world today’ (Sueddeutsche Zeitung), lends credibility to the emotions tormenting Orfeo’s heart. As his beloved Euridice, Austrian soprano Eva Liebau juggles joy and jealousy. Bringing comic relief to the work’s dark tone is Regula Mühlemann as Amore, who cheerily sends mortals zigzagging on their way to life, love and, maybe, death. Under the baton of baroque specialist Václav Luks, the splendid soloists are supported by the Prague orchestra and vocal ensemble Collegium 1704 and Collegium Vocale 1704. This is the perfect new release to celebrate Gluck’s 300th anniversary in 2014!
Director: Ondrej Halvelka
Director of Photography: Jan Malíř
Sound Design: Andreas Neubronner
Producer: Herbert G. Kloiber
A Clasart Classic production
Orfeo: Bejun Mehta
Euridice: Eva Liebau
Amore: Regula Mühlemann
Collegium 1704, Vaclav Luks, conductor
Label: Arthaus Music
