Orpheus Underground

Eight artists from the disciplines puppetry, drama, dance and music meet for a project.

Their starting point, the oldest of all artist myths: Orpheus, the story of the greek singer and lyre-player, whose singing not only bewitched man, animals and stones but also the gods of the underworld; this story, which inspired artists of all eras like no other and which was the subject of Monteverdi’s opera, the first synthesis of the arts in musical history.

But with which voice does Orpheus sing – today? What happens, if Orpheus’ look is not aimed anymore at Eurydice, but attempts to penetrate the underworld? If this underworld is no longer a far away mystic empire, but our immediate present? Without a script, held only by a narrow frame of agreements, the artists dare to step into the open. In this dialogue of actions the unanticipated, uncertain gains ground: reflections, refractions, echoes and rhythms weave nets of meaning and let the spectator participate in the processes of birth which form the basis of all art.

A gesture, fleeting words, a stroke of the bow and behold: Charon, the boatman of the underworld rows over the Styx.