Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643)

Favola in musica

Libretto Alessandro Striggio

Director Monique Wagemakers, choreographer Nanine Linning and artist Lonneke Gordijn (Studio DRIFT), developed the concept for this opera as a contemporary Gesamtkunstwerk that fully integrates stage direction, choreography and design. Fashion designer Marlou Breuls was brought in to create the costumes. Right from the start, Wagemakers’ intention was to find a new way to make opera. This is why she deliberately sought collaborations with independent artists.

On working with Lonneke Gordijn, Monique Wagemakers says, ‘Lonneke has a fascination for nature; with her installations she operates at the edge between life and death, between day and night, between being frozen in rigidity and getting moving – exactly what Orpheus is about.’ Choreographer Nanine Linning incorporates her strongly personal and physical dance language into this concept. The ten dancers of her Dance Company are part of the cast. Because singers and dancers in this production form a single group and are always onstage, Linning was also involved in the casting of the singers. 

“Enchantingly beautiful L'Orfeo” NRC

“Singers and dancers wave across the stage like one organism” Volkskrant 

“Stunning in every way” Trouw  

"This wonderful performance deserves to go on an international tour.” Culture press 

"The art installation Ego sails, floats, wicks and breathes the entire performance on and above the stage” Theaterkrant 

 "This total work of art meets all the conditions for bringing Monteverdi's original opera to the limelight for a contemporary audience.” Place de l’Opera

L’Orfeo (Monteverdi) is an opera production by de Nederlandse Reisopera (Dutch National Touring Opera) and a coproduction with Studio Drift and Opera2Day and in collaboration with Dance Company Nanine Linning

Premiere: January 25th, 2020, Netherlands

Concept: Monique Wagemakers, Lonneke Gordijn, Nanine Linning

Conductor: Hernán Schvartzman, Opera2Day

Director: Monique Wagemakers

Choreographer: Nanine Linning 

Installation “Ego”: Lonneke Gordijn Studio Drift 

Costumes: Marlou Breuls

Light design: Thomas C. Hase

Artistic advise choreography: Peggy Olislaegers

Orchestra: La Sfera Armoniosa

Photographer: Marco Borggreve