Creative Writing
Robert Derwae, the principal of D+A, has produced
humor pieces for magazines and newspapers and written two
singing translations of operas. The translations—Offenbach's
satirical "Orpheus in the Underworld" ("Orphee
aux Enfers") and Gluck's passionate "Orpheus and
Eurydice" ("Orfeo et Euridice")—were
commissioned by Lyric Opera Cleveland. The wacky Offenbach
translation, which has received uniformly glowing reviews,
has been performed by the following companies:
-
Lyric Opera Cleveland - 1991
-
University of Illinois Opera
Theatre - 1993
-
Anchorage Opera - 1996
-
Indiana University School
of Music - 1998
-
Florida State University
- 1999
-
Savannah State University
- 2000
-
Ball State University -
2001
-
Brevard Music Center (North
Carolina) - 2004
- Ridge Light Opera (New Jersey) - 2005
- Nevada Opera - 2006
- University of Iowa - 2009
From a review of the Indiana University production:
"The libretto, by Hector Cremiex and
Ludovic Halevy, was updated for modern times and translated
by Robert Derwae.
Along with the updating came very liberal, yet often comical,
one-liners and improvisations. The operetta was clad with
innuendo, political criticism, (mostly) witty puns and
many jokes about serious opera. In the first act, when
Eurydice dies, she does a five-minute death scene specifically
written to make fun of long tragic opera death scenes.
When she finally dies, Hades can only say, "Finally!" and
then whistles and says, "Come on babe!" and
they go off stage together.
These scripting updates as
well as many of the directorial decisions broaden the audience
appeal for this show. The objective of this opera production,
besides providing good entertainment, is to draw in more
students and a younger audience to the opera theater. ...."Orpheus"
succeeded in all of its goals to surprise and entertain.
This is the show for
the nonoperagoer. For those who are free Friday or Saturday,
have an interest in the opera or have never even considered
going to an opera at IU, this is the one to see."
Please contact
D+A for a review copy and leasing terms. |
