The Masques of Orpheus

 

The Masques of Orpheus: An original series of music and drama, with dance and poetry, featuring Opera Roanoke's artistic staff and Young Apprentice Artists.

Named after the original singer-songwriter-composer, the Greek bard Orpheus is considered the ancient founder of music itself. The Masque was an early form of "festive entertainment" featuring "singers and dancers, actors, poets and players." Opera Roanoke's Masques of Orpheus is a new series of innovative programs of operatic entertainment featuring a variety of arias, duets, scenes, poetry, theatre & dance.

Tempests, Ghosts and Mad Queens will feature scenes from Mozart's The Magic Flute, Menotti's The Medium, Bernstein's Candide, Offenbach's Tales of Hoffmann and Sondheim's Sweeney Todd. Songs from Shakespeare's The Tempest by Ralph Vaughan Williams and a world premiere setting by Opera Roanoke Apprentice artist James Lego will complete an original and eclectic evening of great music, theatre, dance and the spoken word. Opera Roanoke General and Artistic Director Scott Williamson will host the evening and lead a cast of dynamic young artists.