When Orpheus looks back from the opera stage

Year 2023, Volume: 4 Issue: 3, 91 - 102, 30.09.2023

Evrim Şahinkaya Kaplancık

Abstract

While mythology provides profound insights into the human condition and the universe, opera has drawn much of its thematic material from mythology, with a particular emphasis on the Orpheus myth. The main question of this research centers on the significance of the Orpheus myth within the realm of opera and the enduring reasons behind its selection as a recurring subject matter for centuries. To comprehend the import of Orpheus in opera, it becomes imperative to conduct an examination of the sources that piqued the interest of early opera composers and librettists. Furthermore, delving into the identity of Orpheus and its multifaceted connotations is essential for a comprehensive understanding. Opera, emerging during the Renaissance period, finds its roots in the cultural revival that sought inspiration from Ancient Greece. Hence, the foundational sources for opera lie in the musical heritage of Ancient Greece and the profound significance of Ancient Greek tragedy as an art form within Greek society. The Orpheus myth, distinguished as the paramount mythological narrative, became a pivotal source of inspiration for opera creators who sought to craft a novel and potent form of vocal expression reminiscent of the emotive potency witnessed in Ancient Greece. The portrayal of Orpheus as a heroic figure symbolizing the transcendent power of music, along with the dramatic intensity inherent in the myth, rendered it an alluring choice for opera. Consequently, this myth significantly influenced opera composers and librettists who, too, aspired to harness the captivating power of music. This resonance has led to the creation of numerous Orpheus-themed operas since the inception of opera itself. This research, undertaken from a historical perspective, employs qualitative research methodologies, encompassing historical and descriptive analysis methods. The corpus of analyzed documents comprises primary sources narrating the Orpheus story, as well as foundational, reliable, and current scholarly articles, theses, and books elucidating the interplay between mythology and opera. The journey of Orpheus within the realm of opera is observed to have commenced from the very inception of opera and appears to persist to the present day. Consequently, this research underscores the enduring relationship between opera and the Orpheus myth, spanning centuries, warranting recognition as an interdisciplinary field of study under the nomenclature 'Orpheus Opera.' Considering the limited scholarly attention devoted to the intersection of Orpheus and opera within our national context, this study aspires to serve as an inaugural foray into this domain.

Keywords

Opera, Ancient Greece, music, mythology, Orpheus myth, Orpheus opera

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