Performing Arts

For thousands of years, the story of Orpheus the musician has been one of the most popular myths. So beautiful was his music that wild beasts were tamed when he sang and strummed on his lyre. Even rocks and trees were moved.

The most famous Orpheus story involves Euridice, his wife. Bitten by a snake, she died and went to the underworld. Orpheus charmed his way into the underworld and back, with Euridice following him out. The only condition: He couldn't look back at her. But he did, and lost her forever.

Rocks didn't soften nor were wild beasts tamed on Sunday evening when Voices of Change presented the Dallas premiere of Ricky Ian Gordon's Orpheus and Euridice. But the new work had its charms and clearly moved a near-capacity audience at the Bath House Cultural Center.

It's hard to know what to call Mr. Gordon's Orpheus. As annotator Laurie Shulman remarked, if you heard it on a CD it would be simply a trio for soprano, clarinet and piano. But add sets, costumes and choreography and it becomes a music drama.

Mr. Gordon is a highly expressive composer, but at an hour and 10 minutes the work needs theatrical elaboration.

Director and choreographer John de los Santos provided just the right elements. His choreography reflected Mr. Gordon's musical moods and made the story line clear.

Clarinetist Jonathan Jones (Orpheus, in a solely instrumental part) and soprano Gina Browning (Euridice) played, sang and danced an absorbing drama. Even pianist Joe Illick added a touch of movement – though, since the piano part is a busy one, he couldn't stray far.

Olin Chism is a freelance writer in Irving.

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