An Opera by Gluck
Cast:
The Wireless Symphony Orchestra
The Wireless Chorus
Conducted by Percy Pitt
Chorus Master - Stanford Robinson

Acts I. and II.

Gluck's Orpheus is probably the earliest written Opera that still keeps the stage-the ordinary, more or less commercial stage, that is, for there is an earlier work (and a British one) that is still frequently heard in private and semi-public performances-Purcell's Dido and Aeneas. We in this country do not often hear the Gluck masterpiece (though there have been some very notable performances of it within recent times) but it is in the regular repertory of the chief Opera Houses of Europe, as well it may be, for it is full of lovely tunes (the lament of Orpheus, Che faro? 'What shall I do?' is, in itself, a melodic treasure), and has some very moving dramatic moments.

The plot of the Opera \is based on one of the legends of the old Greek world. Gluck follows the legend in its usual form, but gives it a happy ending.
The work is, in this performance, divided into four Acts.

At the opening of the Opera, Orpheus and his friends are lamenting at the tomb of his bride, Eurydice, who has died from a serpent's sting. Amor, the god of Love, brings word to Orpheus that he may descend to the underworld, and, by his wonderful singing and harping, win her back to earth-if only he can refrain from looking on her until the return has been accomplished.

In Acts Two and Three Orpheus descends, and after fierce trial prevails upon the powers that reign below to give Eurydice back to him

Act Four. In their long journey back to earth he is over-tempted and cannot resist looking upon her, and so loses her, but she is finally restored to him by the gods as a reward for his suffering.

Those who care to read something about Gluck's life and his great work for Opera may like to read Berlioz' Gluck and His Operas (W. Reeves, 5s.). or Newman's Gluck and the Opera. This book is out of print, but may be seen in many Public Libraries, where also may be consulted Hadow's The Viennese Period (Vol. V. of the Oxford History of Music, published by the Oxford University Press at 25s.), and the article on Gluck in Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians. There is a chapter on Gluck in Remain Rolland's Some Musicians of Former Days (Kegan Paul, 4s. 6d.)

(A libretto of this Opera is published by, and is obtainable from, the B.B.C. For full details see the announcement on page 392 of this issue.)