When you’re rescuing your wife from the underworld, keeping the faith and following strange instructions are pretty much impossible. That’s how it turns out for Orpheus, anyway, in the ancient Greek myth. He cannot resist looking back to make sure Euridice is following him into the light. But as soon as he looks, she’s gone forever. He can’t say he wasn’t warned.
Such finality must have been too harsh for German composer Christoph Gluck, whose 1762 opera version of “Orfeo ed Euridice” somehow twists a happy ending out of a legendary tragedy about longing, the power of art and the even greater power of death. At the end of Gluck’s version — after poor Euridice has already been obliged to die not once but twice — Amore, the god of love, gets all sentimental and revives her yet again. Whew.
If that outcome surprises you, consider catching a visiting delegation from Portland Opera at 2 p.m. Sunday at Magenta Theater. The opera’s four resident artists will tantalize local ears with a free preview of their upcoming productions. “Orfeo ed Euridice,” on stage in late July and early August, is one of four popular operas scheduled for the rest of the Portland Opera season.
“Magenta is thrilled to host such a culturally rich event,” said artistic director Jaynie Roberts.
If You Go
• What: Portland Opera 2018 previews.
• When: 2 p.m. Sunday.
• Where: Magenta Theater, 1108 Main St., Vancouver.
• Cost: Free.
• Information: magentatheater.com, portlandopera.org.
• • •
• What: “A Celtic Celebration” with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s Chamber Series.
• When: 3 p.m. Sunday.
• Where: Kiggins Theatre, 1101 Main St., Vancouver.
• Cost: $25; $10 for students.
• Information: vancouversymphony.org.
Visiting Vancouver will be tenor Thomas Cilluffo, soprano Helen Huang, mezzo soprano Kate Farrar and bass Shi Li, plus chorus master and assistant conductor Nicholas Fox. Their performance will last about 50 minutes.
In addition to highlights from “Orfeo ed Euridice,” the performance will include excerpts from Verdi’s “Rigoletto” (another classic tragedy, this one involving protective parents as well as passionate lovers, onstage in early May), Gounod’s “Faust” (who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for youth, onstage in June) and Rossini’s “La Cenerentola” (otherwise known as Cinderella, in July).
Celtic sounds
Classical music lovers will appreciate that this 50-minute taster leaves them just enough time to hustle down the block to the Kiggins Theatre to catch still more seasonal sounds. They can even sing along. (But first, they’ll have to buy $25 tickets.)
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s Chamber Music Series will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a Celtic concert at 3 p.m. Sunday. A small group of musicians and special guests will play traditional Irish favorites such as “My Wild Irish Rose,” “When Irish Eyes are Smiling,” “Lannigan’s Ball” and, of course, “Danny Boy”; there will also be piano-clarinet duos by Irish composer Charles Stanford, arrangements of Irish tunes by Percy Grainger, and new flute pieces by contemporary Irish composer Shannon Heaton.
Husband-and-wife VSO flautists Corrie and Darren Cook will play, along with pianist Michael Liu, clarinetist Igor Shakhman, double bassist Edward Sale and soprano Barbara Choltco. They’ll be followed by young musicians on Celtic drums and flute.
Folks hurrying to the theater at 3 p.m. will be greeted on the street by the Fort Vancouver Pipe Band. Inside, they can purchase wine, snacks and green beer.
