Orpheus in the Underworld

The gods must be crazy! They've literally gone to Hell in a handbas--er, make that a steam-engine that crashes through the ceiling in Herbert Wernicke's 1997 staging of Offenbach's satirical take on the Greek legend of Orpheus, revolving around a group of gods in revolt against Jupiter's uppity ways. An errant Eurydice, whom Jupiter has taken a shine to, has eloped with Pluto to Hades, where she finds a new life as a Bacchante (and everyone celebrates with a rousing rendition of the famous cancan). Brussels' Theatre de la Monnaie is the venue for this updated, cheeky treatment featuring an exuberant and talented cast, with Patrick Davin at the baton. Elizabeth Vidal is a particularly sweet-voiced Eurydice and André Jung does a delightful slapstick turn as Pluto's infernal sidekick John Styx. Comic effects abound, some more successful than others--amusing aerial maneuvers and the aforementioned train to Hell are delightful, while a tiresome antic dog borders on the heavy-handed. Unjustly identified solely by the cancan number, this opera buffa should have wide appeal and is recommended. Aud: C, P. (J. Reed)