⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Playhouse Theatre, Edinburgh
We went along to the matinee performance of Orpheus and Eurydice, staged by Opera Australia in association with Opera Queensland and Circa, and it turned out to be one of the most powerful afternoons I’ve ever spent at the theatre.
The opera tells the story of Orpheus, devastated by the loss of his wife Eurydice, who is given the chance to bring her back from the underworld. The only condition is that he must lead her home without ever looking back at her. It sounds simple, but in practice it carries unbearable weight, and the tension builds with every step of their journey.
From the opening moments, I found myself completely drawn in. Iestyn Davies, singing the role of Orpheus, gave a performance that was both fragile and heartbreaking. His voice carried such depth of emotion that it felt impossible not to be moved. Samantha Clarke, as Eurydice, was equally captivating, bringing warmth and intensity to the role.
What made this production unique was the addition of Circa, whose acrobatics and aerial work transformed the stage into something otherworldly. Their movements gave physical form to Eurydice’s descent into the underworld, creating images that stayed in my mind long after we left the theatre.
The music itself was exquisite. The Scottish Chamber Orchestra, together with a chorus from Scottish Opera, filled the hall with Gluck’s score in a way that felt alive and immediate. It wasn’t just an accompaniment but part of the storytelling, carrying the audience through love, loss and despair.
Personally, I was overcome with emotion more than once. I cried twice during the performance, and judging by the reaction in the hall I wasn’t the only one. When the final note ended the audience rose to their feet in a standing ovation, a response that felt completely deserved.
This was more than just an afternoon at the opera. It was a reminder of how deeply music and theatre can move us when every part of a production comes together so perfectly.