Gluck: Alceste (Vienna Version - 1767)

Description

With the premiere of Gluck's "Alceste", the "Burgtheater" Vienna reopened its doors, concluding a period of mourning that had been decreed following the death of Archduchess Maria Josepha. Calzabigi's inspiration for the libretto, which, despite including an element of wonder, focuses entirely on death and the afterworld, most likely stemmed from the death of Empress Maria Theresia's husband. in Euripides' "Alkestis", the librettist might have recognized a sufferer akin to the imperial widow, who was highly regarded by her people. Following in the Greek tragedy tradition, Gluck once more sought to emphasize the unity of the work as a whole and the interplay of all elements involved, including costumes and stage design. He placed great importance on integrating the chorus into the happenings on stage.