The myth of Orpheus is brought to life in this archive recording starring Dame Janet Baker.

British mezzo-soprano, Dame Janet Baker, chose to retire from the operatic stage singing the title role in Sir Peter Hall's acclaimed production of Orfeo ed Euridice. This 1982 recording from Glyndebourne, where Dame Janet appropriately began her professional career, proved a suitable crowning glory to the career of one of the great singing actresses of our age. Dame Janet's realisation of Orfeo, the grieving musician from Greek mythology, who follows his beloved wife Euridice to the depths of Hades in an attempt to bring her back from the dead, is totally convincing.

“… a quite staggering performance …” – MusicWeb International

“A must for opera-goers” – The Sunday Telegraph

“For so many reasons, this is a production to savour. Intense performances of emotive music in classical settings: symbolism by the bucket load: theatrical gestures that make you almost cry out for joy ... this production was Dame Janet Baker’s last public operatic appearance. If you thought she was good, then, whatever else you have seen her in, ‘you ain’t seen nothin’ yet’. This is a quite staggering performance demonstrating beyond doubt that despite evidence to the contrary, in the 1980s there did exist divas who could act. Her commitment is always complete… Great performances. Great theatre.” – MusicWeb International

“One of her finest and most moving portrayals” – TV Times

Cast:
- Orfeo: Janet Baker (mezzo-soprano)
- Euridice: Elisabeth Speiser (soprano)
- Amore: Elizabeth Gale (soprano)

Producer: Peter Hall
Associate producer: Guus Mostart
Movement: Stuart Hopps
Design and lighting: John Bury
Directed for video by Rodney Greenberg

Duration: approx. 124 minutes
Audio: Dolby Digital Stereo
Subtitles: EN, FR, DE, ES