Orpheus and Euridice: Preview Concert

Following the success of their recent production MOURN with Alkanna Graeca, Figure, in collaboration with Refound, return to present a preview of their new production, Orpheus and Euridice.

In the ancient Greek legend, Orpheus travels to the underworld to rescue his lost love, Euridice. He is granted the chance to bring her out of the afterlife and back to the world, but on the condition that he does not look back at her while he leads her. At the final moment, Orpheus can no longer resist the temptation, and turns to look at Euridice, tragically losing her again, forever. Christoph Willibald Gluck’s working of the tale, his 1762 Orfeo ed Euridice, marks a significant moment in the history of opera: a departure from a form in which a narrative serves as a vehicle to showcase music and vocal athleticism, to one which puts the music in service of the drama.

In the spirit of Gluck’s reform, FIGURE is reworking his opera into a new chamber version for mixed ensemble. By contemporising the music with a modern sound palette, the opera is no longer an artefact of the 18th century but the modern drama which Gluck prioritised.

This event is a preview starring Hugh Cutting, winner of the 2025 International Opera Rising Star Award and the first countertenor to win the Kathleen Ferrier Award, and is created by Laura Hounsell, winner of the 2025 Nicky Creed Award at Garsington Opera. The full production will be performed in November.

Performers:
Hugh Cutting countertenor
Figure ensemble
Frederick Waxman music director, chamber organ
Leo Appel violin
James Toll violin
Sam Ng cello
Jan Zahourek double bass
James Larter percussion
Oliver Wass harp