Opera Atelier to Present ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE, 4/9

Opera Atelier's 2014-2015 season continues with the Berlioz version of Gluck's Orpheus and Eurydice, a timeless love story based on the Greek myth.

Opera Atelier most recently produced Gluck's opera in 2007, but this will mark the company's first exploration of Berlioz's 1859 version, in which the role of Orpheus is scored for a female contralto. Opera Atelier's co-artistic directors are proud that Tafelmusik has agreed to be part of this groundbreaking project, which marks the orchestra's furthest foray into 19th century orchestration.

Orpheus and Eurydice tells the story of a young man, Orpheus, who embarks on a quest into the underworld in the hopes of rescuing his beloved from death. He charms the Furies with his beautiful music and is given the chance to win Eurydice's freedom on the condition that he does not look at her until they are back on earth, or explain why. He succumbs to her entreaties and breaks this promise, but in the end they are reunited by Love.

Orpheus and Eurydice will star Canadian mezzo-soprano Mireille Lebel as Orpheus - her first major role for Opera Atelier. The production will also feature Opera Atelier favourites Peggy Kriha Dye as Eurydice and Meghan Lindsay as Amour. Orpheus and Eurydice will be directed by Marshall Pynkoski and choreographed by Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg, with set design by Gerard Gauci and lighting design by Michelle Ramsay. Both productions will feature the full corps of Artists of Atelier Ballet and Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra under the baton of David Fallis. Orpheus and Eurydice is sung in French with English surtitles.

2014-2015 Major Sponsors
Season Underwriter: Michael A. Wekerle of Difference Capital
Season Presenting Sponsor: BMO Financial Group

Opera Atelier gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support of The Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, and the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council.

Opera Atelier is North America's premier period opera/ballet company, producing the opera, ballet and drama of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. While drawing upon the aesthetics and ideals of the period, Opera Atelier goes beyond "reconstruction" and infuses each production with an inventive theatricality that resonates with modern audiences. Led by founding artistic directors Marshall Pynkoski and Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg since 1985, Opera Atelier has garnered acclaim for its performances at home as well as in the United States, Europe and Asia.

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