Orpheus in the Underworld (Orphée Aux Enfers)
Classification added May 19, 2016Premiered October 21, 1858
Paris. Bouffes-Parisiens
Composer:
Jacques Offenbach
Original Language:
French
Librettist:
Hector-Jonathan Cremieux and Ludovic Halévy
Description:
Opera in Two Acts
Time Period:
Mythological Times
Place:
Thebes, Mount Olympus, the Underworld
Classification key
- L – Leading
- F – Featured
- S – Supporting
- B – Solo Bit
- CB – Chorus Bit
- MB – Mute Bit
| Role | Voice Part | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Aristeus Pluto (Aristee-Pluton) | Tenor | L |
| Jupiter (Zeus) King of Gods | Baritone | L |
| Eurydice | Soprano | L |
| *Public Opinion | Mezzo-Soprano | F |
| Orpheus (Orphée), a Violinist | Tenor | F |
| Cupid (Cupidon), Son of Venus (God of Love) | Soprano | F |
| John Styx, a fool | Baritone | S |
| Mercury (Mercure), Messenger of the Gods | Tenor | S |
| Mars, God of war | Bass | S |
| Bacchus, God of Wine-revelry | Speaking | S |
| Diana (Diane) Goddess of the Moon, Hunting & Virginity | Soprano | S |
| Venus, Goddess of Love | Contralto | S |
| Juno (Junon), Queen of Gods | Mezzo-Soprano | S |
| Morpheus (Morphée), God of Dreams | Tenor | B |
| Minos, Judge of the Netherworld | Tenor | B |
| Eaque, Gentleman of the Netherworld | Tenor | B |
| Rhadamante, Judge of the Netherworld | Bass | B |
| Flore, Goddess of Flowers | Alto | B |
| Minerva (Minerve), Goddess of Wisdom | Soprano | B |
| Pomone, Goddess of Fruits | Soprano | B |
| Ceres, Goddess of Agriculture | Alto | B |
| Cybel (Cybele), Goddess of Nature | Soprano | B |
| Neptune, God of the Sea | CB | |
| Saturn (Saturne), God of Agriculture | CB | |
| Vulcan (Vulcain), God of Fire | CB | |
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| Pan, God of Fields & Forests | CB | |
| Hercules (Hercule), Son of Zeus (Jupiter) | CB | |
| Apollo (Apollon), God of Music, Poetry, Medicine (Sun God) | CB | |
| Eole | CB | |
| Cerbere (Cerberus), Three-headed guarding dog of Hades | CB | |
| A Lictor (un Licteur – 7 meas.) | CB | |
| 4 Secret Policemen | B | |
| Hebe, Goddess of Youth | CB | |
| Thalia (Thalie) Muse of comedy & Pastoral Poetry | CB | |
| Vesta, Goddess of the Hearth | CB | |
| Polynnie (Polymnia) | CB | |
| Iris, Goddess of the Rainbow | CB | |
| Euterpe, Muse of Music & Lyre Poetry | CB | |
| Clio, Muse of History | CB | |
| Fortune (La Fortune), Goddess of Fortune | CB | |
| Pandora (Pandore), First Mortal Woman | CB | |
| Erato, Muse of Lyric & Love Poetry | CB |
Minimum Chorus: 28
Divisi: SATB