This program will be held in-person at the Newberry.
Euridice recounts the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice in a pastoral and celebratory style. The opera begins with the wedding festivities of the legendary musician and the nymph. Tragedy strikes when Eurydice is bitten by a serpent and dies, leaving Orpheus devastated. Determined to reclaim her, Orpheus descends into the underworld, where his moving pleas and divine music soften the hearts of the gods. They allow him to bring Eurydice back to life, on the condition that he not look back at her until they reach the surface. Unlike later versions of the myth, this Euridice ends happily: Orpheus succeeds in leading her back to the world of the living, and the couple rejoices in their reunion, celebrating their love and divine favor in a joyous conclusion. This early opera emphasizes the harmony of human and divine realms, reflecting the optimism of Renaissance ideals.
Jacopo Peri holds a monumental place in the history of opera as its pioneering figure. Living at the dawn of the Baroque era, Peri sought to merge the expressive power of music and drama, giving birth to a new art form that would dominate European culture for centuries. His Euridice (1600), the oldest surviving opera, and earlier work Dafne (now lost), represent groundbreaking attempts to revive Greek theatrical ideals through monody—an innovative style that allowed singers to convey heightened emotion and narrative clarity.
Members of Haymarket Opera Company and The Newberry Consort will come together for a panel discussion about the upcoming production.
Speakers
Haymarket Opera Company contributes to the diverse and culturally vibrant artistic community of Chicago and the Midwest through the historically informed presentation of opera and oratorio from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, including many Chicago and U.S. premieres. Since its founding in 2010, Haymarket has offered more than thirty productions using period instruments and historically informed staging conventions, shining a spotlight on many lesser-known but quality pieces by a wide diversity of composers, sung and played by a combination of international stars and top regional talent.
The Newberry Consort brings together singers and instrumentalists of the highest caliber to create historically informed performances of music from the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Baroque, and beyond. By integrating historical performance and research with contemporary themes and multimedia, The Newberry Consort inspires audiences, musicians, and scholars, providing a window into earlier times and diverse cultures. The Consort continues to uplift Chicago’s early-music community through mentorships, teaching, and engagement of local artists.
Cost and Registration
This program is free and open to all. Advance registration required.
Registration opens August 1.
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