Crossing the Ganges

The Capital has a day more to witness the classic opera- Orfeo, Crossing the Ganges by Claudio Monteverdi, with the last show scheduled for today. The play is considered as first opera in history written and staged in 1607. 

This three day opera is organised by Neemrana Music Foundation and Akademia with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and Institute Français. The Opera Orfeo, Crossing the Ganges, is a five-act opera portraying a mythical love story of Orfero and Eurydice. 

In the story, Orfeo travels to India and falls in love with Eurydice, a dancer dedicated to the service of Lord Shiva. He kidnaps her and marries her, thus provoking Shiva’s fury. The cobra around Shiva’s neck kills Eurydice.

Orfeo's love takes him to hell in search of his beloved. He sings to charm his way out of hell.  

His quest is like a crossing of the Ganges to reach the holy city of Varanasi. In the end he fails in his quest and is put to death. In this adaptation of the play, director François Rancillac and conductor Françoise Lasserre revealed a spectacle built on understanding between Western and Indian cultures. 

The role of Orfeo is played by Dávid Szigetvári, Eurydice is played by Nitya Urbanna Vaz and they are accompanied by 50 Indian and French artistes.