39 The myth of Orpheus is perhaps the primordial opera story. It was not without reason that Gluck drew on this myth when he wanted to thoroughly reform the art form. His Orfeo ed Euridice, both sober and poignant, continues to make a deep impression on audiences today. When Orfeo loses his cherished Euridice, he is adamant that he will find her again. He sets off for the Underworld, where the Furies are moved by his musical talent and sincere emotion. Orfeo is allowed to take his beloved Euridice with him, on one condition: he must not look behind on his way back up, to see if she is still following him. This proves too much of an ordeal and eventually Orfeo casts a fateful glance at Euridice — losing her once again. A tale of willpower and grief Director Ted Huffman, known for his clear and refined theatrical language, aims to capture the essence of the lovers in a contemporary and evocative tale of willpower and combativeness, as well as grief and loss. In his production, the two lovers hold each other close and keep fighting for one another, even though unexpected events take them literally through hell. Gluck wrote several versions of his opera, for different kinds of voices and orchestral instrumentations. The Vienna version performed in this production is Gluck’s most uncompromising, the first in which he fully realised his vision of a pure, emotionally direct operatic form. Conductor Francesco Corti returns to Amsterdam following Le nozze di Figaro (2026), further deepening his collaboration with the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra. The role of Orfeo is sung by countertenor Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen, a rising star internationally acclaimed for his warm timbre and exceptional musicality. Opposite him as Euridice is Chelsea Zurflüh. In 2024 she won the prestigious Concours de Genève with a voice as clear as it is enchanting. In their portrayal of the tragic lovers, both singers make their role and house debuts in Amsterdam. New production Theatrical action in three acts Libretto: Ranieri de’ Calzabigi Sung in Italian Musical direction Francesco Corti Stage direction and set design Ted Huffman Collaboration set design Bart van Merode Costume design Ted Huffman and Sonoko Kamimura Lighting design Bertrand Couderc Movement Pim Veulings Dramaturgy Niels Nuijten Orfeo Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen Euridice Chelsea Zurflüh Amore Camille Chopin Netherlands Chamber Orchestra Chorus of Dutch National Opera Chorus master Edward Ananian-Cooper Co-production with Théâtre des Champs-Élysées and MusikTheater an der Wien Premiere 3/2/2027 Subsequent performances: 7*, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21*, 23 February 2027 | Curtain-up: 20:00 / *14:00 | Ticket sales start on: 27 August 2026 | Price Category: B | Location: Main Stage, Dutch National Opera & Ballet Photo: Petrovsky & Ramone Orfeo ed Euridice Christoph Willibald Gluck (1714 –1787)
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