05/15/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/15/2024 13:56
Soprano Elena Villalón makes her Met debut in Mark Morris's classic production
New York, NY (May 15, 2024)-Director and choreographer Mark Morris's production of Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice returns for eight performances, starting Thursday, May 16, and featuring members of the Mark Morris Dance Group. Countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo stars as the mythic hero Orfeo, who ventures into the underworld to rescue his beloved Euridice. Costanzo last appeared at the Met in the title role of Philip Glass's Akhnaten in the 2021-22 season, of which The New York Times wrote that he "sings … with gleaming high notes and melting sound that cut through the orchestra with surprising ease."
Critically acclaimed soprano Ying Fang makes her Met role debut as Euridice, Orfeo's ill-fated bride, with soprano Elena Villalón in her company debut as Amore, the god of love who sets Orfeo on his quest. Both singers are scheduled to return next season as well-Fang as Marzelline in Beethoven's Fidelio and Villalón as Nuria in the company premiere of Osvaldo Golijov's Ainadamar. Met Assistant Conductor J. David Jackson takes the podium.
The creative team also includes set designer Allen Moyer, costume designer Isaac Mizrahi, and lighting designer James F. Ingalls.
Orfeo ed Euridice had its Met premiere on April 11, 1885, and has been performed a total of 105 times. Mark Morris's production premiered on May 2, 2007.
On Sunday, May 19, at 1PM, children and families are invited to experience the Met's Spring Open House, presented in collaboration with Mythik Camps. Designed as an immersive quest experience, this event invites young operagoers and families to explore the extraordinary tale of Orpheus and Eurydice by discovering clues, completing missions, and participating in mythology-inspired activity stations around the opera house led by members of the Met's backstage and artistic staff and Mythik Camps teaching artists. Following the performance on May 19, the audience is invited to remain in their seats for a special onstage discussion with countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo and sopranos Ying Fang and Elena Villalón, including questions submitted by Open House attendees. The event is free to all ticketholders for the day's performance.
Orfeo ed Euridice Broadcasts on Radio and Online
The May 16 and June 8 performances of Orfeo ed Euridice will be broadcast live on Metropolitan Opera Radio on the SiriusXM app. The June 8 performance will also be broadcast over The Robert K. Johnson Foundation-Metropolitan Opera International Radio Network. Audio from the May 16 performance will also be streamed live on the Met's website, metopera.org.
For More Information
For further details on Orfeo ed Euridice including casting by date, please click here.