Music students at a north-east university will delve into the world of Greek mythology to perform an opera this weekend.
The Aberdeen University production, Orfeo’s Journey, a new adaptation of four baroque operas, which is set in the north-east.
The performance revives the 17th century Greek tragedy, Orpheus, about a legendary musician who fails to rescue his wife from the underworld.
The early music ensembles students have been preparing for the opera since October with visiting experts from Basel and Manchester.
Frauke Jurgensen, an early music lecturer at the university, has helped to lead the project.
He said: “It is rare to be able to bring together so many experts in this field for intensive teaching of this kind – and certainly to be able to stage a brand new opera at the end of it.
“We hope audiences will come to the university to see this retelling of one of the most powerful legends, the world’s best singer using the power of music to overcome death, with some of the most influential music ever composed. Monteverdi’s Orfeo basically set the template for opera until the present day.
“We have an extremely talented community of music students and, thanks to the intensive coaching they have received, we look forward to a tremendous performance of Orfeo’s Journey.”
The students have participated in every stage of the production from script writing to scenery as well as performing in the opera and playing the music.
The opera will be performed at 7.30pm tonight and tomorrow in the Butchart Centre at King’s College.
Tickets will be available to purchase at the door before performances.
