Orpheus II, Wellington Opera House 2023 by Richard Chrisp

Technique

Watercolour, Drawing, Collage on Paper
Signed by Richard Chrisp.
2023

Measurements

Framed -Dark grey 320 x 420mm
Watercolour, Drawing, Collage on Paper 290 x 390mm
Matted White with White Backing Board

In the mid-1970s, Chrisp's artistic journey led him to Paris, France, where he enrolled in the prestigious Ecole des Beaux-Arts. Prior to this, he had diligently learned French and Italian during his studies at Victoria University. It was during his time in Europe that he began honing his skills as a watercolour artist. Chrisp, also fluent in Italian spent time in Italy in the 1970’s and his inspiration today continues to capture his memories, friendships, connections and colours of Europe.

Chrisp's work has been likened to artists David Jones, Matisse, Raoul Dufy and Cezanne, showcasing an energetic personality evident in his interior, landscape and floral paintings.

London Experience and Continued Passion:
Having lived in London for several years, Richard Chrisp immersed himself in the vibrant opera and live theatre scene. He forged lasting friendships within this artistic community and continued to be inspired by the creative energy surrounding him.

Wellington 2023
In a recent visit to Wellington to immerse himself in theatre and friendships.
The Orphee et Euridice was one of the Opera's he attended.
Chrisp upon returning to his studio, captured some memories of that colourful and memorable occasion and created  Orpheus, Wellington Opera House

Orphée et Eurydice is an opera composed by Christoph Willibald Gluck, based on the myth of Orpheus and set to a libretto by Ranieri de' Calzabigi. It belongs to the genre of the azione teatrale, meaning an opera on a mythological subject with choruses and dancing.
The piece was first performed at the Burgtheater in Vienna on 5 October 1762, in the presence of Empress Maria Theresa. Orfeo ed Euridice is the first of Gluck's "reform" operas, in which he attempted to replace the abstruse plots and overly complex music of opera seria with a "noble simplicity" in both the music and the drama.

The opera is the most popular of Gluck's works, and was one of the most influential on subsequent German operas. Variations on its plot—the underground rescue mission in which the hero must control, or conceal, his emotions—can be found in Mozart's The Magic Flute, Beethoven's Fidelio, and Wagner's Das Rheingold.

Though originally set to an Italian libretto, Orfeo ed Euridice owes much to the genre of French opera, particularly in its use of accompanied recitative and a general absence of vocal virtuosity. Indeed, twelve years after the 1762 premiere, Gluck re-adapted the opera to suit the tastes of a Parisian audience at the Académie Royale de Musique with a libretto by Pierre-Louis Moline.

This reworking was given the title Orphée et Eurydice, and several alterations were made in vocal casting and orchestration to suit French tastes.

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