L’ Orfeo

The world of L’Orfeo is a gift to any designer. It’s full of gods, shepherds, dancing flowers, demented spirits, three-headed dogs, music, and a love so powerful that it can raise the dead ... almost.  Monteverdi’s 1607 opera follows the ancient story of Orpheus and Eurydice on their mythical journey from heaven to earth, to the underworld, and then (separately) back to earth and heaven. For me, the story is very simple, and it makes the rules of human mortality very clear: “When you’re gone, you’re gone.” But despite the finality of its message, my imagination is still caught and held by this tale of young love, desperate grief, audacity, human will, suspense, and cosmic pity. I love knowing that for centuries the human imagination has demanded a story in which True Love might actually triumph over Death. In a way, we know that it happens all the time: we don’t ever forget our loved ones, our partners, our soulmates . . . no matter what side of the veil they’re on.

Composed by Claudio Monteverdi

Libretto By by Alessandro Striggio