Orphee aux Enfers (Orpheus in the Underworld)

The opera is a lampoon of the ancient legend of Orpheus and Eurydice In this version Orpheus is not the son of Apollo but a rustic violin teacher. He is glad to be rid of his wife, Eurydice, when she is abducted by the god of the underworld, Pluto.  Orpheus has to be bullied by Public Opinion into trying to rescue Eurydice. The reprehensible conduct of the gods of Olympus in the opera was widely seen as a veiled satire of the court and government of Napoleon III. 

The first of Offenbach’s outrageously funny ‘send-ups’ of Greek mythology, this is a version of the classic legend of Orpheus’s pursuit of his wife Eurydice, who is carried off to Hades by Pluto – much to the annoyance of Jupiter. A highly disrespectful romp, it involves nymphs, shepherds, gods and goddesses, with the fun reaching its climax in the riotous revels of the celebrated “Can-Can”. A lively and highly enjoyable show for both performers and audience, with many world-famous tunes.