Orpheus.

“Best of all, the enterprise gives you a freshness of vision, even new insights into an old tale...You leave feeling that you have been involved in a ritual, human in its essence and recounted with a scouring freshness.” - Clive O’Connell, The Music

For Midsumma Festival 2019 Forest Collective is proud to present the world premiere season of new ballet-opera of ancient Greek myth Orpheus by artistic director Evan Lawson. A thrilling retelling of the infamous myth, this version not only explores the sad tale of his love with Eurydice but his untold gay relationship with fellow argonaut, Calais. Devised from text’s from ancient operas based on Orpheus, this work will be danced and choreographed by dynamic emerging artist Ashley Dougan and Eurydice sung by Forest Collective core mezzo-soprano Kate Bright. Orpheus’ dark and mysterious journey is brought life by designer Jane Noonan to bring about a rich and inspiring series of performances. Composed and conducted by one of Australia's leading emerging queer musicians, Evan Lawson’s music has been described as “bar to bar, beautiful” in RealTime Magazine. This landmark new opera, the first in Midsumma Festival’s history, will prove to be one of the cultural highlights for Melbourne summer 2019.

About.

Dance-opera
World premiere February 2019, Melbourne-Naarm
Performers 3 singers, 3 dancers, 10 musicians
Duration 60 minutes

Reviews.

“Ashley Dougan’s choreography is rhythmic and repetitive, without becoming boring. He shows an understanding of how to tell s story through the body and effectively interprets the score with the smallest of movements.” —Gavin Roach, ustralian Arts Review

“...Lawson found a striking compositional vein that promised a sort of catharsis; in this tragedy, you find a consolation that broadens out into a generous efflorescence before the inevitable descent to darkness.” - Clive O’Connell, The Music

“...Lawson and his forces handle the twin myths with dignity, taking key points and working with them rather than hammering the relationship triangle into flattened obviousness.” - Clive O’Connell, The Music

“Under the direction of composer and creator Evan Lawson, Orpheus matches its ambition with measured pace and intriguing technique. You can feel the excitement and passion radiating off Lawson as he conducts the work with flare and control.” - Gavin Roach, Australian Arts Review

Acknowledgements.

Music and libretto Evan J Lawson
Commissioned and premiered by Forest Collective, Prismatx Ensemble and Density512
Presented by Forest Collective, Midsumma Festival and Abbotsford Convent

Musical director Evan Lawson
Choreographer Ashley Dougan
Costume Design Jane Noonan
Set Design Candice MacAllister

Past performances.

31 January - 3 February 2019
Abbotsford Convent, as part of Midsumma Festival
Melbourne-Naarm, Australia