The Orpheus myth—a tragic Greek tale of love, grief, and destruction—has been a gift to composers over the centuries. That’s in large part thanks to Orpheus’ own talents as a singer and lyrist, able even, as the tale goes, to charm the stones with his music. Lebanese-American tenor Karim Sulayman and Baroque ensemble Apollo’s Fire tell this many-layered story through the 17th-century music of Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo, Caccini L’Euridice, and lesser-known composers such as Landi, d’India, Brunelli, and Merula. The result is a compelling, richly expressive exploration of Orpheus’ psyche as he journeys physically and mentally, singing love songs, lamenting, cursing, and sneering.
More By Karim Sulayman
- Rachel Podger & Brecon Baroque
- Ruby Hughes, Jonas Nordberg & Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann
- Daniel Taylor, James Bowman & Theatre of Early Music
- The Sixteen & Harry Christophers
- Stile Antico
- Jordi Savall
- Café Zimmermann