Gluck, Christoph Willibald: Orfeo ed Eurydice

Orfeo ed Eurydice by Christoph Willibald Gluck
Cast: Kathleen Ferrier, Greet Koeman and Nel Duval with the Chorus and Orchestra of the Netherlands Opera conducted by Charles Bruck.
Libretto by Raniero de' Calzabigi
Label: His Master's Voice
Catalogue number: RLS 725
Country of Issue: UK
Date: 1977 (recorded 1961)
Mono
Analogue
LIVE RECORDING  of performance in Amsterdam
Format: LP Boxed Set (2 discs plus booklet)
Label design:  70s style (horizontal bars and mono logo,  brown RLS label
Discs:  Mint, unmarked
Outer box: EX+ - main parts NM but small scuffs on lower flap and spine
Inner sleeves: original poly,  as new
Booklet: full size 12pp, perfect. Notes in English, libretto in Italian and English.

This item appears as new throughout except as mentioned above. Acquired by us in 2007 as part of a large collection but never played since.

Orfeo eveolved through several phases before reaching its final performing version.  It began in 1761 when Gluck met the author Calzabigi who supplied several libretti including that for Orfeo which appeared in its first guise in 1762.  Because it was written for a joyous occasion (a Viennese festival) the ending of the tale was altered to allow Eurydice to survive. Gluck extended the opera and made other amendments for its Paris premiere in 1774 and later altered  by Berlioz (to become Orphee).  The Italian score was revived,  and after several new editions,  was finally published by RIcordi in 1899. This is the verfsion recorded here and which is the 'standard' for the Italian libretto. Charles Bruck and Kathleen Ferrier first collaborated in a Dutch production in 1951, it wasa gain performed in Amsterdam in 1961 and recorded live for this album.