‘Orpheus in the Underworld’ by Jacques Offenbach is a satirical Operetta based on the story of Orpheus and Eurydice. It starts on Earth, then to Olympus and ends in Pluto’s party in Hades.

The set is a pile of furniture from various time periods, which ties in the ancient Gods and the timeless themes. The furniture pile is chaotic, which allows for surprises to be hidden in it. This includes extra entrances and drawers and cupboards that seem to fill themselves. The Opera is crazy and a joy to watch, it does not take itself too seriously. Neither does the set.

This production was staged in a concert hall. This added to the tone of the show, but came with design challenges too!

David Seligman School of Opera in the Dora Stoutzker Hall