Opera Choice: Orfeo

David Benedict
Tuesday 02 June 1998 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Orfeo, The Barbican, London EC1 (0171-638 8891) 7.45pm

The leap from dancing to directing is not as far as one might imagine. Bob Fosse knew not only how to strut his stuff, but how to build, shape and direct dance - and from there it was a short step to taking over the whole kit 'n' caboodle. American choreographer Trisha Brown has never dabbled in showbiz, and, until recently, hadn't even choreographed to music. However, her piece to Bach's Musical Offering opened her eyes and her latest work is danced opera. Pina Bausch has already been here with her groundbreaking Gluck production, and, last year, Mark Morris's sublime staging of Handel's L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato produced, according to Louise Levene, "the sound of an audience inhaling deeply, filling its lungs with the oxygen of big ideas and old masters, feasting its eyes on a sneak preview of paradise." Brown brings her dancers together with singers as strong as Simon Keenlyside for her production of Monteverdi and the result has seen critics abroad openly salivating. Closes Saturday.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in