Lyre Liar

I had an interesting discussion with the harpist Siobhan Armstrong from the Early Opera Company Orchestra on Orfeo at the Roundhouse. I went over to congratulate her after a stage and orchestra run as her playing during the scene where Orfeo subdues Charon with the power of his music was so beautiful. I suppose it isn’t that often that orchestral players and the designer mix in opera in my limited experience. My setting has the orchestra at the heart of the piece on a slightly lower stage than the main disc, but in full view below the balcony of the Gods. Michael and I struggled with how to represent Orfeo’s harp in the opera, so many of the versions i had watched on line had him standing miming along as an orchestral player did the real work or in Robert Wilson’s version the harp hangs as a potent symbol above the stage. I am not that musical, but even to my ear the music of Orfeo when he is meant to be playing his lyre is not confined solely to the harp but shifts across to other instruments. It seemed to both of us that his talent is Music, his voice is the emblem of that but he has an entire orchestra at his disposal. So during the wild wedding celebrations Michael had him seize a baton and take over the conductor’s role.Then during the plea to Charon, Michael had Orfeo stand completely still as it were channelling the power of the orchestra behind him. His stillness and focus enabled us to clearly see Siobhan and the rest of the orchestra and sense how the power of the music was passing through him. Siobhan told me she had been doing the piece for twenty years and always felt it went better when she could see and relate to Orfeo, and especially hated it when he had a fake lyre. Great to get the support of such a brilliant orchestra for a design decision!

Orfeo Roh Roundhouse, directed by Michael Boyd, Designed by Tom Piper, Orchestra of the early Opera company

Orfeo Roh Roundhouse, directed by Michael Boyd, Designed by Tom Piper, Orchestra of the early Opera company

Orfeo Roh Roundhouse, directed by Michael Boyd, Designed by Tom Piper, Orchestra of the early Opera company

Orfeo Roh Roundhouse, directed by Michael Boyd, Designed by Tom Piper, Orchestra of the early Opera company

Orfeo Roh Roundhouse, directed by Michael Boyd, Designed by Tom Piper, Orchestra of the early Opera company

Orfeo Roh Roundhouse, directed by Michael Boyd, Designed by Tom Piper, Orchestra of the early Opera company

Orfeo Roh Roundhouse, directed by Michael Boyd, Designed by Tom Piper, Orchestra of the early Opera company

Orfeo Roh Roundhouse, directed by Michael Boyd, Designed by Tom Piper, Orchestra of the early Opera company

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