Baroque Opera Performance Retells Orpheus Myth in Belgium

A Belgian ensemble of five singers and musicians performed a two-hour program based on Orphic operas by Claudio Monteverdi, Giulio Caccini, and Jacopo Peri in Belgium. The group wove together arias and instrumental pieces into a continuous narrative of love, death, and faithfulness, focusing on the story of Orpheus and Eurydice.

Taiwanese soprano Wei-Lian Huang and baritone Nicolas Achten, the artistic director of the ensemble, portrayed Eurydice and Orpheus respectively, delivering emotionally resonant performances that compensated for minimal staging.

The performance featured historical instruments including theorbies, baroque violins, and renaissance guitars. Organizers aimed to create a direct connection with the audience, offering a unique and lively artistic experience rooted in early opera traditions.