La descente d’Orphée aux enfers (1686) by Marc-Antoine Charpentier

An opera in two acts prefaced with sound installations and pre-show pop-up performances, including Jephte (1648) by Giacomo Carissimi 

Friday 2 & Sunday 4 September 2022

Should promises always be kept? Should we enter into pacts? Do we have the free will to make decisions, right or wrong? Contemplate these questions for the ages in two fast-paced works by masters of musical drama, with sound installations exploring how our modern choices are fatefully linked to those made by people in ancient times.

Guests were invited to arrive early to explore the grounds, experience the sound installations, and catch the pre-show pop-up performances by members of the chorus and orchestra, before watching the main opera.

We are particularly grateful to the Marchus Trust for their support of this production. Heartfelt thanks to all our VBFriends and supporters, who make our work possible.