Monteverdi was the first great opera composer and L'Orfeo was his first great opera. The subject of the musician Orpheus whose love for Euridice was so great that he went down to Hades to persuade Pluto to return her to earth by playing the lyre for him has been a favorite subject of countless operas. Haydn and Gluck both wrote operas on the subject (along with numerous minor composers such as Landi.) Offenbach created a delightful burlesque. This quasi-filmed version (somewhere between a stage production and a film) captures the drama inherent in Monteverdi's version and is pleasant to behold. Gino Quilico is excellent in the title role both as a singer and actor. It is a must for lovers of early opera and recommended viewing for those who don't think they like anything before Mozart.
