December 30, 2024 - Eurydice, Jane Eaglen, and Reginald Mobley

Today we cross into the underworld by way of “Eurydice.”  It’s a hell raising opera, truly.  With music by Matthew Aucoin and based on the play “Eurydice,”  by Sarah Ruhl, it’s a retelling of the myth of  Orpheus, from the perspective of his bride. In this adaptation we follow Eurydice’s descent into the underworld, where her encounters are humorous, and heartbreaking–especially when she reunites with her father…a bond that proves hard  to break. Eurydice had its Metropolitan Opera premier in 2021. Then it  came here  by way of Boston Lyric Opera which debuted a new orchestral arrangement.  Matthew Aucoin and Sarah Ruhl join The Culture Show to discuss.From there, it’s viva la diva! Have we got it all wrong when it comes to throwing around the terms Diva and Prima Donna? Grammy award-winning diva, I mean soprano Jane Eaglen joins us to break down the opera parlance. Jane Eaglen is on the faculty at New England Conservatory and is the President of the Boston Wagner Society.  Finally, countertenor Reginald Mobley joins The Culture Show for an in-studio performance and to talk about his album, Because.