Orfeus: A House Music Opera, Young Vic

Opera, house music and Greek myth merge in a futuristic world premiere at the Young Vic. Orfeus: A House Music Opera combines music and performance to give a new twist on Ovid's Orpheus and Eurydice.

Award-winning baritone Nmon Ford has written the words, music and libretto and will start as the titular Orfeus. The Panamanian-American opera star has impressed in performances with the English National Opera, New York Philharmonic Orchestra and BBC Symphony. Orfeus: A House Music Opera is his debut work as writer, and offers a bold fusion between classical tradition and contemporary music. Charles Randolph-Wright, who proved his musical theatre credentials with Motown: The Musical, will direct this world premiere.

The tragic tale of Oprheus following his beloved Eurydice into the underworld has inspired musical interpretations from Christoph Willibald Gluck's 1762 opera Orfeo ed Euridice to Anaïs Mitchell's contemporary concept album turned folk musical Hadestown. This new take on the tale is set in a dystopian future. In order to save Euridice from a fascist ruler, Orfeus has to face his own true nature.

The show blends ancient and modern, house music and classical score, and theatre and song in what looks to be a pioneering premiere at the Young Vic in 2020.

Public booking for Orfeus at the Young Vic opens on Tuesday 25 June