Orfeo
A.Striggio / Christoph Cech / Claudio Monteverdi

Set & Costumes.........Christof Cremer
Light design........Norbert Chmel
Choreography........Gaby Wappl
Conductor........Walter Kobéra

première: 16 April 2005 Remise, Vienna
company: Neue Oper Wien

29 April Kamer Oper Festival, Zwolle, NL

Reviews

Descent into magical sound-worlds 
The world première of Neue Oper Wien in the Remise has been a remarkable success. Christof Cremer constructed a ravishingly beautiful Space of wood latticing that glows in the magical lighting of Norbert Chmel. The staging by Carlos Wagner offers heroically dignified theatre and detailed characterization. An impressive evening!

Kronen Zeitung

A new Orpheus
Cech's concern is to transfer the crystalline clarity of Monteverdi onto an introspective psychological level, without de-dramatizing the work. The staging underlines this move in the choreographical production of Carlos Wagner, the clear abstract and beautifully transparent set of Christof Cremer, and the concise lighting of Norbert Chmel. A powerful sign of life, in the free opera scene of Vienna.

Salzburger Nachrichten

Incandescent Orfeo from Neue Oper Wien
The Netherlands Chamber Opera Festival began and ended with a magnificent production that almost transcended the limits of chamber opera. The monotone white-beige set by Christof Cremer creates a landscape that resembles a desert. Shepherds and Nymphs form a grotesque society full of ticks. The set made of simple wooden slats which encloses a sandy surface like a cage, astoundingly illustrates the saying "less is more". Relatively static scenes lead to the horrifying resolution: the threatening appearance of Charon, the carrying off of an ethereally plaintive Euridice by the ghosts, and the psychic implosion of Orfeo. The violent epilogue, in which the raving Bacchantes tear him apart, consternates with imagination and suggestiveness. Tenor Alexander Kaimbacher embodies Orfeo convincingly in his development from a brazen young man to the totally lost figure, insane with grief and guilt. The chorus stands solidly in dazzling homogeneity. "Opera must burn" is the motto of Neue Oper Wien, and they succeeded: This Orfeo burns in the soul, and leaves a glow that will remain for some time.

Stentor

Fractures in Utopia
A fervent evening was provided, not only by director Carlos Wagner, but also by the amadeus ensemble Vienna, as ever under the direction of Walter Kobéra. Welcoming applause for a refreshing evening beyond the divide between serious and light entertainment.

Wiener Zeitung