Ensembles: Opera

MSU Opera Theatre presented Jacques Offenbach's Orpheus in the Underworld, Spring 2002

The MSU College of Music's Opera Theatre presented three performances of Jacques Offenbach's 1858 operetta Orpheus In the Underworld. The performances were held March 22, 23 and 24, 2002 at MSU's Fairchild Theatre.

A rollicking comedy, this bawdy reworking of the Orpheus legend featured unfaithful spouses, oversexed gods and goddesses, mischievous denizens of the underworld and even The Love Police. The score was filled with familiar tunes, from the famous "Overture" to the "Can-Can," in which 38 singers and dancers frolicked to the music.

"Orpheus delighted the crowd with its hummable tunes, racy humor, topical dialogue and bright, brash sets and costumes," said stage director Melanie Helton.

Considered one of the most popular and most performed operettas in the world, Orpheus In the Underworld is recognized as one of Offenbach's greatest masterworks. Originally written in French, the English translation and adaptation by Buck Ross updates the action to a contemporary setting, in this case, a not-so-fictional Big Ten university (whose colors just happen to be green and white!).

MSU Opera Production Staff:

Conductor: Dae Uk Lee/Jason Altieri

Stage Director: Melanie Helton

Choreographer: Dixie Durr

Stage Design: John DesPres

Lighting Design: Tiffany Tucker