Orpheus und Eurydike

Anyone seeking Gluck's 1762 opera about the musician who journeys to Hades to seek his dead wife must look elsewhere—not simply because this version excises the overture and the “happy ending,” closing instead with the death of Orpheus, but also because this is a ballet from late choreographer Pina Bausch (who led the development of the so-called Tanztheater style) set to a shortened version of the original opera (sung in German translation). The result is a remarkable fusion of music and ballet, in which dancers wordlessly enact the story, accompanied by soloists and chorus who sing the text, while the excellent Balthasar-Neumann Ensemble plays Gluck's classically chaste melodies with élan and precision under the direction of Thomas Hengelbrock. Rolf Borzik's simple costumes and stark sets suit the score's studied elegance, and the dancing is superb, with Yann Bridard, barefoot and clad only in white briefs, standing out for his athleticism and sensitivity in the incredibly demanding role of Orpheus. The remaining dancers, including Marie-Agnès Gillot as Eurydice and the Corps de Ballet of the Paris Opera (where the performance was filmed in 2008), excel as well, beautifully matched by the vocalists (Maria Riccarda Wesseling singing Orpheus and Julia Kleiter voicing Eurydice). Granted, this may not be pure Gluck, but it is wonderful Bausch, and genuinely touching to see her appear during the curtain calls. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and PCM stereo on DVD and DTD-HD 5.1 and PCM stereo on Blu-ray, extras include a booklet with informative essays and photos. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)