According to the ancient Greeks, Orpheus was a poet and musician whose lyre could tame wild beasts, and even charm inanimate objects such as rocks and stones.
When his wife Euridice died, such was Orpheus’ love for her that he descended into the underworld to try to bring her back to the land of the living.
Michael Parmenter's opera ballet OrphEus Photo: John McDermott
Michael Parmenter has created a dance opera based on the Orpheus myth, with music from baroque ensemble Latitude 37.
It premiered at the Auckland Arts Festival, and will shortly be performed in Wellington as part of the New Zealand Festival.
Justin Gregory reviews OrphEus.
