“Orpheus in the Underworld” Coming to the Main Stage in March
Often called the “first full-length operetta”, the scandalous satire adaptation of “Orpheus and Eurydice” will be performed by Viterbo students on the main stage March 4 at 7:30 p.m. and March 5t at 2 p.m. Students have been hard at work learning highly complex music all while having to imagine that they are in mythical settings like the underworld and Mount Olympus.
Hunter Evenson, a music education major, plays Jupiter, the God of light and sky. Even as a senior, Evenson finds many parts of the show challenging. “The most challenging part, I believe, is group singing. This is a tough operetta, and the music is very complex to memorize,” says Evenson, “As for Jupiter, I find it hard that he is more of a speaking role rather than singing.”
The students involved in the production enjoy the layered and complex story telling involved in opera music. “My favorite thing is the idea of learning new stories and ideas and being able to interpret and act them out in your own personal way,” explains Evenson. “That's why I love singing French music.”
With much of its humor modernized to fit today’s issues, “Orpheus in the Underworld” is a show that people of any musical background can enjoy. Evenson describes in as “not just any ordinary operetta” because of how dynamic it is. “It’s full of comedy, up to date political humor and most importantly, a fantastic cast that portrays each role perfectly,” says Evenson.