Orpheus in the Underworld Tickets

Affordable ENO Orpheus in the Underworld London opera tickets available now.

This is the English National Opera's next instalment of the Orpheus series that you won’t want to miss! Book your Orpheus in the Underworld tickets now to catch Offenbach’s Orpheus operetta at the London Coliseum from 05 October to 28 November 2019.

What is Orpheus doing in the Underworld?

The tale of Orpheus continues in this theatrical production and takes us to a hedonistic, party-filled Underworld. After the tragedy that sees Orpheus’ marriage to Eurydice broken, Eurydice is tricked into taking Pluto, ruler of the Underworld, as her lover. With the help of the glamorous, vain and yet, bored gods, Orpheus takes on the impossible challenge of trying to win his new wife back.

Who wrote this instalment of the Orpheus myth?

Orpheus in the Underworld was written by Jacques Offenbach in 1858. It is still one of Offenbach’s most notable operettas of which he produced almost 100 examples. He excelled at the art and it was his main achievement, even though his opera fantastique, The Tales of Hoffmann, is one of the most significant French operas of the nineteenth century. The French composer of German origins had a flair for writing some of the most attractive and melodious music of his time.

Offenbach’s all singing and all dancing operetta* score includes the famous ‘Can-can’.

What is an operetta and how is it different from an opera?

*An operetta, in simple terms, falls somewhere between an opera and a musical. An operetta was, in fact, made an international art form by Offenbach himself thanks to his pioneering work that is Orpheus in the Underworld. Offenbach wrote this at a time his theatrical licence prevented him from staging full-length operas and had to undergo lots of negotiations before premiering Orpheus in the Underworld.

Cast and creatives for the ENO production of Orpheus in the Underworld at the Coliseum

Ed Lyon (Zadok in Solomon, in concert) and former ENO Harewood artist Mary Brevan will portray Orpheus and Eurydice, respectively. Alan Oke (Shepherd in Oedipe) takes on the role of John Styx and Sir Willard White (Porgy in Porgy and Bess) takes on the role of Jupiter.

Joining them are ENO Harewood Artists Alex Otterburn and Idunnu Münch.

Making her ENO debut is director Emma Rice (The Red Shoes) who showcases her talents for humour and theatrical spectacle, that are perfectly suited for this production. Former ENO Music Director Sian Edwards returns to conduct.

Affordable London opera tickets for Orpheus in the Underworld will not last!

Whilst Orpheus faces a next to impossible task, you won’t need the help of gods to book your tickets for Orpheus in the Underworld. This chapter of the Orpheus series comes to the West End's London Coliseum beginning 5 October 2019 and you won’t want to miss out on this extravagant operetta, so be sure to get your tickets whilst you can!

Don't forget to check out other operas playing for the new English National Opera season here.