When Telemann’s opera ‘Orpheus’ was first performed at Drottningholm Palace Theatre this summer, the reviews were overwhelming. The performance was described as a “musical test of strength”, “Heavenly!” and “dramatically fascinating”.
Georg Philipp Telemann’s opera ’Orpheus’ is celebrated for both it’s exquisite music and intense drama. In this special performance at Drottningholm Court Theatre, a UNESCO world heritage stage in Sweden in its original from the 1700-hundreds, the stars are aligned. The international reviews describes it as a ”dramatically fascinating” and ”visually captivating performance” with ”brilliant singers”.
The ancient myth of how Orpheus loses his beloved Eurydice and then goes down to the underworld to save her, exists in several versions. In Telemann’s opera, the tension is further increased by a third love interest, the frustrated queen Orasia, who does everything she can to catch Orpheus’ attention and make him forget Eurydice.
The free-spirited Telemann was known for mixing both styles and languages, and with arias in German, French and also Italian, he creates a playful, continental style that has been described as ‘complete and unique’.

Telemann’s ‘Orpheus’ premiered 300 years ago, in 1726 at ’Oper am Gänsemarkt’ in Hamburg, one of Europe’s first opera houses to sell tickets to citizens and not belonging to a monarch or prince.

The recording is produced by SVT. Baroque specialist Francesco Corti leads the Drottningholm orchestra and the stage production is directed by Elena Barbalich, devoted to unlock the mysteries of the ancient myth as well as explore the theatre’s ingenious machinery.