Marigny Opera Ballet to enchant with ‘Orfeo’

Cadence Neenan, Staff Reporter

Between Oct. 2 and 4, the Marigny Opera Ballet will open its second season with the premiere of “Orfeo,” an all-new contemporary ballet choreographed by resident company choreographer and rehearsal director Maya Taylor.

Taylor, a dancer and choreographer based in New Orleans, touts an impressive pedigree, having studied at the Ballet West Conservatory, The Ailey School, Jacob’s Pillow and sporting a degree from the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program.

The ballet works to portray the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, a tragedy in which Orpheus, son of Greek god Apollo, falls in love with, and marries, the beautiful Eurydice. After she is bitten by a snake and killed, Orpheus is given the opportunity by Hades to retrieve his love from the underworld, as long as he can resist the temptation to look at her before he leaves; he fails the challenge and loses his love forever.

The premiere of “Orfeo” will debut not only Taylor’s newest choreographic work, but also an original score created by local composer Tucker Fuller especially for the ballet.

Fuller is a New Orleans-based composer whose works have been performed by the Albany Symphony, the Colorado String Quartet and the American Symphony. His works for “Orfeo” will be performed by a chamber orchestra, to be conducted by company music director Francis Scully.

The Marigny Opera Ballet company will perform “Orfeo” at the Marigny Opera House on St. Ferdinand Street. Tickets range between $20-75.

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