Rich Massabny is a theatre, arts, & food critic in the nation's capital. He has been quoted in the Washington Post and Washington Times. One of the most visible cable television personalities in the Washington, D.C. area, his celebrity chefs on cooking shows, his weekly reviews and his hour long talk show, reach over 1,000,000 homes.

Sunday, October 11, 2015

VIRGINIA OPERA - - “Orpheus in the Underworld”



     Virginia Opera opened its 2015-2016 season at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts with Jacques Offenbach’s comic operetta, “Orpheus in the Underworld.” This production was different from what I’m used to seeing by Virginia Opera—and I think I liked it. Offenbach took a famous Greek tragedy and turned it into a satire. At times it’s risqué and reminiscent of a French dance hall. The story begins with Orpheus (Javier Abreu) and his wife, Eurydice (Meredith Lustig) showing contempt for each other. Eurydice want to leave, but Orpheus says that Public Opinion (Margaret Gawrysiak) won’t allow it. Eurydice leaves anyway with Jupiter (Troy Cook) and off they go to Hades. Public Opinion convinces Orpheus to get her back, He tries, but Jupiter tricks him and Eurydice is lost to him forever. The music is wonderful under the baton of Anna Manson. Great direction by Sam Helfrich. The next Virginia Opera production is Puccini’s “La Boheme” in November. For tickets call 866-673-7282 or purchase online at www.vaopera.org.


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